Former World Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, is among the 26 players chosen by Portuguese coach, Roberto Martinez for the June 10 international friendly against Nigeria.

The friendly game, billed for Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal, is one of the test games for the Portuguese, who are preparing for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The championship is seen as Ronaldo’s last attempt to win the world’s most prestigious global football title having won the European Cup, UEFA Champions League, Europa Cup and the UEFA Nations League.

For Nigeria, it is another opportunity for Coach Eric Chelle to test new players as he continues rebuilding the Super Eagles, which failed, once again, to qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria did not qualify for the previous edition held in Qatar in 2022.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, now at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, is set to appear at a record sixth World Cup.

Also in the squad for the international game against Nigeria and the FIFA World Cup is Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandez, who is in contention for the English Premier League Player of the Year award.

Also in Coach Martinez’s 26-man squad are Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix, while goalkeeper Ricardo Velho is an extra player in the group.

Paris Saint-Germain stars Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos are also included in a strong squad, along with Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.

Speaking on Ronaldo, Martinez said he would not need to manage the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in a special way because of his age.

“In my experience, at a World Cup, a player doesn’t follow the pattern of club form, age-related performance or anything like that,” Martinez told reporters.

“The focus is our group. All of them are focused, they’re prepared for the demands of a World Cup and we just need to manage day by day.”

Apart from the game against Nigeria, Portugal will also face Chile before their World Cup opening match against DR Congo on June 17.

Also in Group K are Uzbekistan and Colombia, who will meet Portugal on June 23 and 27 respectively.

The full Portugal team comprises goalkeepers Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon) and Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi/TUR).

The defenders are Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias (both Manchester City/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce/TUR), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona/ESP), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal/ESP), and Tomas Araujo (Benfica), while the midfielders include Ruben Neves (Al Hilal/KSA), Samu Costa (Mallorca/ESP), Joao Neves, Vitinha (both Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG).

Joining Ronaldo and Joao Felix (both Al Nassr/KSA) in attack are Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus/ITA), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad/ESP), and Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA).