Recently appointed Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has refused to rule out any notions of Cristiano Ronaldo's international career coming to an end despite his move to Saudi Arabia.
Martinez was Belgium boss from 2016 until December and left the Red Devils at the end of a bitterly disappointing Qatar World Cup which saw the nation's 'Golden Generation' go out at the group stage.
Martinez was appointed as Portugal manager this week on a deal lasting until 2026, giving the former Everton boss chances at Euro 2024 and the next World Cup in 2026. He has young stars such as Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos and Nuno Mendes at his disposal, while Ronaldo was dropped by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal's knockout clashes in Qatar.
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Ronaldo now plays his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia after leaving Manchester United but Martinez insists the 37-year-old will be given 'opportunity and respect' going forward.
"I hope we can sit down with him and create the best team, Martinez said. "It's a day of great satisfaction, but tomorrow we'll get down to business.
"We're going to start a footballing process to try to get to know all the players that could make it to the national team. We're going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the national team. Cristiano is one of them.
"I'm delighted to be able to have them by my side. It's a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we're going to make important decisions for the team."
Portugal's next fixtures fall in March, when they take on Liechtenstein and Luxembourg in Euro 2024 qualifiers. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is yet to make his debut for Al-Nassr while he serves a two-match ban picked up against Everton in November.
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