Ronaldo joins Portugal camp for Euro 2024 qualifiers as he eyes international record

The 38-year-old took part in some conditioning work on Monday evening in his first call up since signing for Al Nassr in January.

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Portugal face Liechtenstein and Luxembourg in their bid to qualify for the finals in Germany next year.

Ronaldo can become the most capped player in international football history if new boss Roberto Martinez opts to throw him into the action.

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He equaled the record of 196 caps which was held by Kuwait forward Badr Al-Mutawa, during Portugal's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco in December.

Now, Ronaldo has the opportunity to break the record on home soil when Portugal host Liechtenstein on Thursday.

It would also provide Ronaldo with the added touch of breaking the record on the ground where he started his career - Sporting's Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Ronaldo's international future was thrown into doubt following Portugal's World Cup exit, with some believing the former Manchester United star would retire from national team duties.

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But Martinez was in no doubt that he could still count on Ronaldo in their quest for Euro 2024 qualification.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was dropped by former coach Fernando Santos in what was widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

Santos did not take kindly to Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted in Portugal's final group game against South Korea.

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He was subsequently dropped for the round-of-16 clash with Switzerland and replaced by Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who went on to net a hattrick.

Ramos held onto his place against Morocco at Ronaldo's expense but neither player could prevent Portugal crashing out after a 1-0.

Santos' exit appears to have changed nothing for Ronaldo who finds himself fronting a new era for the national team.