This will be Selecao’s first fixture since their quarter-final exit against Morocco at the FIFA World Cup back in December.
Ronaldo was picked in the Portugal squad by manager Martinez despite his recent move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in fine form in the Middle East, contributing nine goals and two assists in 10 games so far this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo began to lose his place in the starting XI towards the end of former manager Fernando Santos’ reign. But new manager Roberto Martinez could give the striker a start. If not for the start, Ronaldo could definitely appear on the substitute bench.
Portugal have included some great attacking talent in their squad, including Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Rafael Lea.
Portugal have been drawn alongside Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovakia in Group J to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany. The top two teams directly qualify for the tournament.
Roberto Martinez’s side have had a relatively easy start to their Euro 2024 qualification campaign. After the match against Liechtenstein, they will then travel to Luxembourg in three days’ time.
Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal’s record goalscorer, having scored 118 goals from 196 caps. He is also the leading goalscorer in men’s international football overall.
The international break is a great opportunity for Ronaldo to increase his tally for his national side when they take on Liechtenstein and Luxembourg during the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
It is, however, worth mentioning that the former Manchester United forward has not scored against Liechtenstein on the two occasions he has played against them.
The last time Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal for his country was back during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored for the Euro 2016 winner against Ghana in their opening game at the World Cup. They went on to secure a 3-2 victory in an entertaining affair in Lusail.
Cristiano Ronaldo will want to perform at the highest level to have any chance of making it in the squad for Euro 2024 should the Selecao qualify.
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