OEIRAS (Portugal): Portugal Coach Fernando Santos insists Cristiano Ronaldo remains an important figure for the national team even though his playing time at Manchester United has been limited mainly to substitute appearances so far this season.
Ronaldo was called up to Portugal’s squad on Thursday for Nations League games against the Czech Republic on September 24 and against Spain three days later.
“I have absolutely no concerns about Ronaldo’s lack of playing time for Manchester United,” Santos said.
“As with any player, I have to figure out what the situation is with him. But I don’t think anyone doubts that Ronaldo continues to be of great importance to the national team.”
Ronaldo and his partner lost their newborn son in April, and he was excused from United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in July for family reasons.
Ronaldo has only started twice for United under new boss Erik ten Hag, who repeated on Wednesday that he is counting on the 37-year-old this season.
Portugal team
Guardians: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves / ENG), Rui Patricio (Roma / ITA)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Tiago Djalo (Lille/FRA), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Pepe (FC Porto ), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Wolves/ENG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Matheus Nunes (Wolves/ENG), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guillaume Carvalho (Real Betis/ESP), Joao Mario (Benfica)
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Ricardo Horta (Braga), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/ENG), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), pedro neto (Wolves/ENG) Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Ronaldo was called up to Portugal’s squad on Thursday for Nations League games against the Czech Republic on September 24 and against Spain three days later.
“I have absolutely no concerns about Ronaldo’s lack of playing time for Manchester United,” Santos said.
“As with any player, I have to figure out what the situation is with him. But I don’t think anyone doubts that Ronaldo continues to be of great importance to the national team.”
Ronaldo and his partner lost their newborn son in April, and he was excused from United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in July for family reasons.
Ronaldo has only started twice for United under new boss Erik ten Hag, who repeated on Wednesday that he is counting on the 37-year-old this season.
Portugal team
Guardians: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves / ENG), Rui Patricio (Roma / ITA)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Tiago Djalo (Lille/FRA), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Pepe (FC Porto ), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Wolves/ENG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Matheus Nunes (Wolves/ENG), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guillaume Carvalho (Real Betis/ESP), Joao Mario (Benfica)
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Ricardo Horta (Braga), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/ENG), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), pedro neto (Wolves/ENG) Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/ESP)