Santos rates Ronaldo's chances of playing in Euro 2024

Portugal boss Fernando Santos gave his views on Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term future with the national team.

Fernando Santos believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of playing in Euro 2024 will depend on how prepared the Portugal captain is ‘psychologically and physically’.

Santos selected Ronaldo in his 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship. The 36-year-old is expected to lead the attack once more as Portugal attempt to defend their crown.

But while Ronaldo remains a formidable player, he will be 37 years old when the next World Cup starts in November 2022 in Qatar and 39 once Euro 2024 takes place in Germany.

🇵🇹 𝟚𝟞 𝕟𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕒𝕤 𝕔𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕤, 𝟙 𝕤í𝕞𝕓𝕠𝕝𝕠 𝕒𝕠 𝕡𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕠! 🇵🇹
Vamos todos defender o título de Portugal no Euro 2020! 🏆 #VamosComTudo pic.twitter.com/47piWCbeuL

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) May 20, 2021

Although Santos expects his star man to be available for the 2022 World Cup and refused to rule him out playing in Euro 2024 either.

“It is always very difficult to think like that with Cristiano,” said Santos as per beinSPORTS on Thursday after unveiling his Portugal squad.

“He is a machine. He takes great care of himself.

“Cristiano, the way he takes care of himself and treats himself, we can never say no. There are many factors and it will depend a lot on his motivation.

“I believe he will be at the next World Cup. As for the next Euros, I think it depends a lot on how he will be prepared psychologically and physically.”

Ronaldo and Portugal kick-off preparations for their European title defense with two friendlies against Spain on June 4 and Israel on June 9.

Santos’ men will begin their European campaign against Hungary in Budapest on June 15 in Group F. They then face Germany in Munich on June 19 and France four days later in Budapest.