Why isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal against Croatia today in the Nations League?

On November 19, 2024By Littum

Al Nassr forth Cristiano Ronaldo plays no part in Portugal’s Nations League game against Croatia tonight at Stadion Poljud in Split.

It was the Portuguese forward, along with a number of teammates sent home early from training camp to make room for the younger faces in the squad to see minutes on the pitch.

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“In the first phase we made six changes from one game to the next“, argued Martínez, “it is important for us to be first, and we already are. We must be competitive to add to the group, it is getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There is a World Cup final in 18 months.

Four players left Portugal’s camp early

“The match against Croatia is important, we have to look at other players. We will let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes who are suspended. We call Fábio Silva and Quenda for the U21s.”

Despite his age (39) and doubts surrounding his performance at Euro 2024, Ronaldo is in impressive form this year for club and countryand scored twice in Portugal’s recent win over Poland, taking his up to 15 goals for the season.

| Fábio Silva and Geovany Quenda have been called up to Portugal’s squad for the match against Croatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto have all returned to their clubs after Portugal qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals. pic.twitter.com/tE5W6UXg7E

— Próxima Jornada (@ProximaJornada1) November 16, 2024

However seen as Portugal have already qualified as group leaders and Croatia are through (since it’s head to head, not goal difference), so Martínez rests as the preferred option for certain players in the squad. Luka Modric is still in the Croatian squad and is expected to play.

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