Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to become the first men’s player to appear in six World Cups after being named to Portugal’s squad for the upcoming summer tournament.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward, who holds the men’s international records for both appearances (226) and goals (143), currently shares the record of five World Cup appearances with five other players. That group includes Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who is also expected to feature in his sixth World Cup this summer following his 2022 title win in Qatar. Ronaldo remains fully eligible for Portugal’s group-stage fixtures after avoiding a three-match suspension for a red card received during a qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland in November.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez announced a standard squad with no major surprises, describing the roster as “27 players plus one” in tribute to former national team and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last July.
“He is our strength, our joy,” Martinez said. “Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo’s dream and for the example he always set in our national team. Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength and example are the plus one and will always be the plus one.”
The selected squad includes Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who enters the international window aiming to break the Premier League single-season assist record this Sunday. Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain teammates Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Goncalo Ramos will join the team after competing against Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30.
Portugal will play warm-up friendlies against Chile and Nigeria before launching their Group K World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Houston on June 17. The team will then play Uzbekistan in Houston before traveling to Miami to face Colombia.
Portugal’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi).
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica).
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris St-Germain), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris St-Germain).