Cristiano Ronaldo set to make record sixth World Cup appearance
FILE PHOTO - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo warms up prior to the start of the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena. Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus praised Cristiano Ronaldo for his hunger after the Portugal superstar scored his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League and moved closer to his target of 1,000 career goals. Sven Hoppe/dpa Cristiano Ronaldo was included in Portugal's squad for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is set to make a record sixth appearance at the tournament.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez announced his squad during a news conference on Tuesday. Ronaldo and Argentina top star Lionel Messi are bidding to become the only players to participate in six World Cups. Currently they share the record of five with Germany icon Lothar Matthäus.
Title holders Argentina are yet to announced their final squad, but Messi was included in the preliminary list. In addition to Ronaldo, Martínez selected two other players who are under contract with clubs in Saudi Arabia: Ronaldo's Al Nassr team-mate João Félix and Al Hilal's Ruben Neves. From Champions League defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, and Gonçalo Ramos have been included.
Up front, Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Bernardo Silva of crosstown rivals Manchester City are expected to set the pace. Portugal are in Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo. The World Cup beings on June 11.