Watch the friendly match between Portugal and Croatia

The legend Cristiano Ronaldo joined his teammates in the Portugal Portugal national team camp during the training session held last Friday evening at the Cidade do Futebol stadium in Lisbon. Ronaldo joined the camp in preparation for Euro 2024, as the Portuguese team aims to achieve outstanding results in the tournament.

Ronaldo, known as "El Don," joined the camp alongside his compatriot Rúben Neves, the star midfielder of Al Hilal, after a week's vacation following the end of the Saudi league season. This addition strengthens the Portuguese team and provides a significant morale boost to the other players before the official competitions begin.

However, the Al Nassr star is set to miss the friendly match against Croatia, which will take place on Saturday at the National Stadium "do Jamor." Ronaldo's absence presents an opportunity for the Portuguese coach to experiment with new tactics and give other players a chance to prove themselves in this crucial preparatory match.

The Portuguese national team will then face Ireland next Tuesday in their final warm-up match before heading to Germany for the Euro 2024 tournament. Portugal secured a win in their first friendly match against Finland with a 4-2 victory at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. This win boosts the confidence among the players and the technical staff, reflecting the team's good preparation before the European Championship kicks off.

Portugal is in Group F of Euro 2024, alongside the Czech Republic, Georgia, and Turkey. In this balanced group, the Portuguese aim to shine and advance to the later stages, leveraging their players' experience and high technical skills.

The Croatian national team, on the other hand, faces a tougher challenge in a group that includes Albania, Italy, and Spain. The Croatian team relies on the performance of its star players, such as Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić, to deliver a high level of performance and qualify from this difficult group.

Friendly matches are a valuable opportunity for both Portugal and Croatia to improve their readiness before the tournament, testing various formations and tactics. With Ronaldo and Neves absent, Portugal will need to demonstrate their ability to compete strongly without relying solely on their key stars, giving other players a chance to shine and prepare for the upcoming championship.

Roberto Martínez's squad will begin their Euro 2024 adventure in Group F, which includes the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia. Portugal is set to start their campaign in the tournament held in Germany by facing the Czech Republic on the 18th of this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the UEFA European Championship (Euro). Here is a summary of his history and statistics in the tournament:

Tournaments Participated In:

1. Euro 2004 (Portugal)

   - Ronaldo's debut in the Euros.

   - Portugal reached the final but lost to Greece.

   - Goals: 2 goals.

2. Euro 2008 (Switzerland and Austria):

   - Portugal reached the quarter-finals and lost to Germany.

   - Goals: 1 goal.

3.Euro 2012 (Poland and Ukraine):

   - Portugal reached the semi-finals and lost to Spain in a penalty shootout.

   - Goals: 3 goals.

4. Euro 2016 (France):

   - Portugal won the title for the first time in their history.

   - Ronaldo scored 3 goals and played a significant role in winning the title.

   - He was injured in the final against France and left the field in the first half.

5. Euro 2020 (2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, held in multiple countries):

   - Portugal exited in the Round of 16 after losing to Belgium.

   - Goals: 5 goals.

   - He shared the top scorer award with Patrik Schick.

Overall Statistics:

- Matches: 25 matches.

- Goals: 14 goals.

- Assists: A significant number of assists.

- Achievements: Winning Euro 2016.

Records:

- Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the European Championship with 14 goals.

- The player with the most appearances in the history of the Euros with 25 matches.

- The first player to participate in five editions of the European Championship (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).

Ronaldo's Role in the National Team:

- Ronaldo is the captain of the Portuguese national team and has played a crucial role in achieving numerous successes for the team, including winning Euro 2016.

- He is known for his high scoring ability and leadership skills both on and off the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most prominent players in the history of the European Championship, thanks to his achievements and record-breaking performances.