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Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

<ul><li>Ronaldo turned 39 in February</li><li>Still key for club and country</li><li>But Cancelo says he's past his best</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Joao Cancelo shockingly claims Cristiano Ronaldo is well past his 'peak' as he insists Portugal 'do not depend entirely' on Al-Nassr striker ahead of bid for Euro 2024 glory

Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday in February but has shown few signs of slowing down, ending 2023 as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-finishes-year-world-s-top-scorer-beating-harry-kane-kylian-mbappe-54th-goal/blt4cf3355c5846a1e0" target="_blank">top male goalscorer in the world after netting 54 times</a>. The Al-Nassr superstar will be going for glory again in the summer with Portugal at Euro 2024, although team-mate Cancelo has insisted the national team are not entirely dependent on their ageing captain.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He told Portuguese network RTP: "He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d’Or, but the peak of a footballer’s career is between the ages of 25 and 32. He is an important player for us, but the national team does not depend entirely on him.”

WHAT CANCELO SAID

Ronaldo may be past his peak but he is still likely to play a leading role for Portugal at this summer's tournament in Germany. The forward outscored both Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe in qualifying, netting 10 times for Portugal as Roberto Martinez's side were the only team to finish with a 100 percent record. Yet Martinez does have a host of other quality attacking options in his squad, including Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo and Cancelo are among <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-cristiano-ronaldo-has-been-left-out-of-portugal-squad-face-sweden/bltc75d4b73aa5e3f05" target="_blank">several Portugal players who have been rested</a> for the team's next friendly against Sweden on Thursday. The pair will return to the squad in time for Portugal's next game against Slovenia on Tuesday.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO AND PORTUGAL

Joao Cancelo shockingly claims Cristiano Ronaldo is well past his 'peak' as he insists Portugal 'do not depend entirely' on Al-Nassr striker ahead of bid for Euro 2024 glory | Goal.com Malaysia

Portugal defender Joao Cancelo has insisted the national team are not entirely dependent on 39-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Joao Cancelo shockingly claims Cristiano Ronaldo is well past his &apos;peak&apos; as he insists Portugal &apos;do not depend entirely&apos; on Al-Nassr striker ahead of bid for Euro 2024 glory