The Portugal team scored a resounding 5-1 victory against Poland last Friday afternoon (15/11), at the Dragão stadium, in Porto, in the fifth round of Group 1 of League A of the Nations League. The triumph placed the Portuguese in the next stage of the tournament.
This Saturday (11/16), coach Roberto Martínez revealed a decision involving Cristiano Ronaldo and three other players. THE Sporting News explains.
MORE: Nations League: how it works and which groups are in the national team tournament in Europe
Why won’t Cristiano Ronaldo play in Croatia vs Portugal?
Coach Roberto Martínez decided to release Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes before the duel against the Croatians. At a press conference, the coach explained that he wants to give opportunities to new players and test the squad.
– In the first phase, 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 is becoming increasingly difficult to get into the starting eleven. The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players. We will release Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended. We will call up Fábio Silva and Quenda for the under-21s – these.
🚨🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto and Bernardo Silva are set to return to their clubs after tonight’s game.
Portugal qualified for Nations League quarter finals and coach Roberto Martínez will call Fábio Silva and Geovany Quenda.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
When is Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game?
After the FIFA Date, CR7 will perform for Al-Nassr, a team from Saudi Arabia. The team returns to the field on November 22nd, against Al Qadisiyah, in the Saudi Championship.
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How many goals did Cristiano Ronaldo score for each team he defended?
- Sporting – 5 gols
- Manchester United – 145 gols
- Real Madrid – 450 goals
- Juventus – 101 goals
- Al Nassr – 74 gols
- Portugal – 135 goals
Who is the top scorer in national team football?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in national team football. CR7 has scored 135 goals in 210 games for Portugal. Iran’s Ali Daei is second on the list, with 109 goals in 148 matches. Lionel Messi completes the podium: there are 109 goals in 187 games defending Argentina.
MORE: Nations League today: games and results from the national team tournament in Europe
Portugal’s last games: results
- 11/15 – Portugal 5 x 1 Poland – Nations League
- 10/15 – Scotland 0 x 0 Portugal – Nations League
- 12/10 – Poland 1 x 3 Portugal – Nations League
- 08/09 – Portugal 2 x 1 Scotland – Nations League
- 05/09 – Portugal 2 x 1 Croatia – Nations League
- 05/08 – Portugal 0 (3) x (5) 0 France – Euro Cup
