Why Cristiano Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad as Al Nassr star misses out on Erling Haaland record
Today at 06:35 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the chance to create more history in Portugal’s clash with Croatia after being released from the squad.
Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal during the reverse fixture in September when Roberto Martinez‘s men ran out 2-1 winners.
The 39-year-old, who became the first man in history to reach the astonishing figure, has continued to lead the line for his country.
Ronaldo brought up his record-extending 134th and 135th international goals in a 5-1 win over Poland on Friday.
Speaking after the victory, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shared his plans for his retirement but insisted he is still enjoying playing.
Despite this, the Al Nassr talisman has been released from Portugal’s squad alongside a host of Premier League stars for tonight’s game.
Ronaldo has featured in all five of his country’s games this season, starting four en route to scoring five goals in the Nations League.
Why is Ronaldo not playing for Portugal?
The former Manchester United superstar’s goals against Poland helped Portugal finish top of their Nations League group.
A Selecao confirmed their position as League A Group 1 winners with 13 points from five games to qualify for the next round.
Martinez’s men are six ahead of second-placed Croatia, meaning their Nations League finale on Monday is a dead rubber contest.
As a result, key stars Ronaldo, his former Man United teammate Bruno Fernandes, who was already missing through suspension, Chelsea‘s Pedro Neto, and Man City’s Bernardo Silva have been released.
Former Belgium manager Martinez revealed he is keen to try out new players and give some of Portugal’s younger stars some exposure.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Martinez said: “In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next.
“It’s important for us to be first – and we already are. We need to be competitive to add to the group, it’s getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There’s a World Cup finals in 18 months.
“The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players.
“We’re going to let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended – so we’re going to call up Fábio Silva and [Geovany] Quenda from the Under-21s.”
Ronaldo is already close to clocking 1700 minutes for club and country this season and returns to action for Al Nassr on Friday.
However, he will now miss the chance to finish as the Nations League’s top scorer from the group phase of the competition.
The forward is currently joint second in the standings on five goals – only two behind Erling Haaland, who has played one more game.
The Norwegian overtook Ronaldo by banging a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan on Sunday to top the pile.
Ronaldo meanwhile could now freefall from second due to his absence against Croatia.
Slovenia‘s Benjamin Sesko, who is also on five goals, has completed his international duties, but Sweden have another match to play.
Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, on five and four goals respectively, both struck in a 2-1 triumph against Slovakia on Tuesday.
The Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle strikers are expected to front Sweden’s attack once more against minnows Azerbaijan – having also both netted in September’s reverse fixture.
