• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Sport

Ronaldo heads Portugal squad for Nations League

24 May 2019, 6:09 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Ronaldo holding a cup

Ronaldo is Portugal's leading scorer with 156 goals

Ronaldo holding a cup

Image: Reuters

Ronaldo is Portugal's leading scorer with 156 goals

Hosts Portugal named their squad for next month’s inaugural Nations League finals on Thursday with Cristiano Ronaldo heading the bill and an inclusion for Benfica teenager Joao Felix.

Portugal will kick off the new competition with a semi-final against Switzerland in Porto on June 5, with the winners playing either England or the Netherlands in the final at the same venue four days later.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s leading scorer with 156 goals and most capped player with 85 appearances, was included as expected, the 34-year-old having returned to the squad after missing six matches last year following an agreement with coach Fernando Santos.

Joao Felix has had an outstanding debut season for Benfica, attracting the interest of clubs from around Europe, but is still uncapped by Portugal.

The Nations League was created to replace friendly internationals that were unpopular with clubs, players and fans as they interrupted league action.

UEFA has divided the competition into four divisions, or leagues, with each league itself sub-divided into groups. Despite initial scepticism over the format, it was given a generally warm reception.

European champions Portugal topped their three-team group ahead of Italy and Poland to qualify for the semi-finals in the top division.

The tournament offers Portugal a chance to make amends, albeit small, for Euro 2004 when they were also hosts but lost in the final to Greece.

There was no place in the squad for Sevilla striker Andre Silva, who has been troubled by a knee injury in the last two months of the season, or midfielder Joao Mario, who has had an indifferent season with Inter Milan.

Santos acknowledged that such a short tournament would be a different experience for his squad.

“For the players, it’s always important to have the chance to win a title,” he said. “The players have great passion to play for their country and this is no different. There is a title at stake and of course we want to win.”

“It’s a different sort of test. There is no group stage with points and qualification …this is do-or-die from the start.”

 

 

Share article
Tags: Cristiano RonaldoPortugal
Previous Post

Reserve Bank forecasts contraction in GDP

Next Post

Weinstein reaches provisional settlement with victims, creditors

Related Posts

Novak Djokovic during a match

Djokovic survives Davidovich Fokina battle to reach fourth round

2 June 2023, 8:34 PM
File: Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in action with Manchester United's Christian Eriksen.

Guardiola says United a better team than the one City hammered months ago

2 June 2023, 5:14 PM
Tennis player holding a tennis ball and racket.

Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round, Khachanov survives

2 June 2023, 4:39 PM
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona - May 9, 2021 Red Bull's Max Verstappen crosses the line to finish in second place

Verstappen fastest in first Spanish GP practice

2 June 2023, 3:15 PM
Netball World Cup trophy on display

Netball World Cup trophy tour invokes special feeling among locals

2 June 2023, 1:55 PM

Netball trophy tour kicks off in Johannesburg

2 June 2023, 8:20 AM
Next Post
Harvey Weinstein

Weinstein reaches provisional settlement with victims, creditors

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Durban’s N2 road, Spaghetti Junction closed due to cleanup operations
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • Limpopo healthcare set to get massive boost with multi-billion rand hospital
  • Scientist finds solution to extending life of power plants’ rotors
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Durban’s N2 road, Spaghetti Junction closed due to cleanup operations
  • Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials
  • Soweto e-hailing drivers fearing for their lives
  • SAMWU Free State workers vow not to return to work until salaries are paid
  • Two killed, six wounded in Malamulele tavern shooting: Police
  • VIDEO | Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi addresses Zulu Royal Household

LATEST

A petrol and motorist seen at a Nigerian fuel station
  • Africa

Nigeria’s main labour federation to strike over fuel subsidy removal


An Eskom power station seen at night.
  • Eskom rolling blackouts
  • Business

Higher stages of load shedding don’t suggest a grid collapse: Ramokgopa


Novak Djokovic during a match
  • Sport

Djokovic survives Davidovich Fokina battle to reach fourth round


The Centre Manager of Mogalakwena Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre together with the EFF leadership led by CIC 
Julius Malema cutting the EFF 10th anniversary cake at Rooibokfontein Village, Mokopane.
  • Politics

Young people have interest in politics because of EFF: Malema


Train wreck after a crash in India
  • World

50 dead, 300 injured in train collision in eastern India: Reports


Stop rape graphic
  • South Africa

Children call for no bail for those accused of rape


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous SARB building Reserve Bank forecasts contraction in GDP
Next Harvey Weinstein Weinstein reaches provisional settlement with victims, creditors