Ronaldo, 41, stays with Portugal, named in squad

Ronaldo, 41, stays with Portugal, named in squad

Match Overview

Portugal national team manager Roberto Martínez has included 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header. The Seleção are set to host Croatia at the Estádio da Luz on March 21st, followed by an away fixture against Poland on March 24th.

These fixtures represent a crucial path toward direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Portugal enters the international break in peak physical condition, with no major injury concerns reported among the starting XI.

Key Stats & Facts

• All-Time Record: Ronaldo extends his world-record international tally, currently standing at 218 caps and 135 goals for Portugal.
• Goal Efficiency: The veteran striker has averaged 0.83 goals per game over his last 12 international appearances.
• Squad Age Profile: At 41, Ronaldo is the oldest player in the squad, contrastingly paired with a youthful contingent averaging 25.4 years of age.
• Portugal’s Home Record: The Seleção are undefeated in their last 14 home qualifiers, securing 12 wins and two draws while conceding only five goals.

Player Spotlight

Despite intense media speculation regarding his international future, Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion highlights his enduring value to Martínez’s tactical setup. The Al-Nassr forward continues to defy age-related decline, having played 90% of available minutes in the domestic league this season.

Ronaldo is projected to lead the attack alongside Rafael Leão and Bernardo Silva in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation. His presence remains vital for a transitional Portuguese side looking to blend veteran leadership with emerging talent.

Standings Impact

Portugal currently occupies first place in Group A with a perfect record of 12 points from four matches. Croatia follows closely in second place with nine points, making the upcoming clash in Lisbon a direct battle for the top spot.

A victory for Portugal would widen the gap to six points, virtually securing their progression to the tournament. Conversely, a loss would allow Croatia to draw level on points, throwing the group wide open ahead of the final matchdays.