CRISTIANO RONALDO IN PORTUGAL SQUAD AFTER GOALLESS EURO 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo's international future was uncertain after a disappointing Euro 2024. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has included Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad for the first two Nations League matches following the veteran forward's disappointing European Championship.

Martínez announced the squad on Friday for its home games against Croatia on Sept. 5 and Scotland on Sept. 8.

The 39-year-old Ronaldo holds the record of 130 goals for international men's football, but he went scoreless in all five of Portugal's games at Euro 2024 as they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by France via a penalty shootout.

Martínez said after Euro 2024 that his team is starting "a new cycle" for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ronaldo will be 41 by the time that tournament in North America kicks off, and Martínez said after their exit from Euro 2024 that it was "too soon" to say whether Ronaldo had played his final game for his country.

Martínez restored Ronaldo to the starting lineup for the tournament in Germany after predecessor Fernando Santos had stunned his team and nation by benching him midway through the 2022 World Cup, where he scored in an opening win over Ghana but then failed to mark in the next four games, including a quarterfinal upset to Morocco.

Portugal squad:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton), Rui Silva (Real Betis).

Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), António Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting), Tiago Santos (Lille), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nélson Semedo (Wolves).

Midfielders: João Palhinha (Bayern Munich), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), João Félix (Chelsea), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting).

Forwards: Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Geovany Quenda (Sporting), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool).

FULHAM COMPLETE EMIL SMITH ROWE TRANSFER FROM ARSENAL

 

Emile Smith Rowe has left Arsenal on a permanent transfer. Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Fulham have signed Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal in a deal reported to be worth £34 million ($43.7m), a fee which makes him the most expensive signing in the club's history.

Smith-Rowe, 24, becomes Fulham's second permanent transfer of the summer as they look to reinvest the money made from João Palhinha's move to Bayern Munich, after Ryan Sessegnon rejoined the club on a free transfer in July.

"I'm finally here, so I'm really happy for me and my family -- it's a good moment," Smith Rowe said of the transfer.

"I'm really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my teammates.

"Listening to the project, speaking to the manager, and seeing what players we have here already, I think it's an exciting project for me, and definitely the perfect step for my career going forward."

The attacking midfielder made his Arsenal debut in the Europa League against Vorskla Poltava in September 2018 after coming through the club's academy, establishing himself in the first team in 2020 after loans to Huddersfield and RB Leipzig.

In all he made 115 appearances for the north London team, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists.

Smith Rowe penned a farewell to Arsenal on Instagram on Friday.

"To the Arsenal family, I wasn't sure where to start with this as it is the hardest message to write to you all." he said.

"I was ten years old when I first signed for this club, just a kid with no idea that I would go on to make over 100 appearances and wear the iconic No. 10 for Arsenal.

"I'm ready to take on a new challenge now, I feel hungrier than ever and I have to give myself the opportunity to take the next step. So thank you again to the Arsenal family, I'll always appreciate you all."

Tony Khan, Fulham's sporting director, said of his club's transfer: "I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham Football Club!

"We're very excited to sign such a talented young player, and we look forward to Emile joining the squad in Portugal as we continue to prepare for the new season ahead!"

Fulham begin their Premier League season with a trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on Aug. 16.

Information from ESPN's James Olley contributed to this report.

- ESPN