Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start when Portugal host Slovakia in their Euro 2024 qualifiers at the Estadio del Rey on Friday (October 13). The Selecao will hope to continue their perfect start to the qualifying campaign.
Ronaldo drew a blank in the only qualifying match he played during the last international break in September: a 1-0 win over Slovakia. He received a yellow card in that game, which meant that he missed the next game: a 9-0 home win over Luxembourg. Due to the accumulation of yellow cards, he missed the next game.
He has now returned from suspension and should captain the Selecao against Slovakia. Coach Roberto Martinez has a number of attacking players to choose from to partner Ronaldo up front. The likes of Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos and Bernardo Silva are all possible options.
The Selecao have won all six of their games and are five points ahead of second-placed Slovakia in Group J of Euro 2024 qualifying. After defeating Slovakia 1-0 last month, Portugal faced them at home again.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes in the last game but did not contribute any goals. His former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandez scored the only goal of the game.
Victory over Slovakia will secure Martinez’s place in the 2024 finals, which will also see Martinez clinch the group title if Iceland avoid losing to third-placed Luxembourg.
How is Cristiano Ronaldo doing for Portugal in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifiers?
Despite turning 38 this year, Cristiano Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down for Portugal.
He scored five goals in multiple qualifying games. These include back-to-back games against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg to kick off the new season. He also scored against Iceland.
Ronaldo is the third-highest scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying with five goals, tied with Switzerland’s Harry Kane and Zeki Amdouni.
Romelu Lukaku leads the scoring charts with eight goals, while Manchester United duo Rasmus Hoylund and Scott McTominay are joint second with six goals.