Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Portugal in Nations League amid Spain"s rise

Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39, continues his illustrious international career with Portugal as they prepare for the UEFA Nations League. He expressed his commitment to the national team, aiming to win the tournament, despite being dropped from the squad during the 2022 World Cup and not scoring in Euro 2024. Portugal will face Croatia in their opening match, where Ronaldo seeks to add to his impressive records of 212 appearances and 130 goals for the national team. The Nations League kicks off with Portugal and Spain both competing, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of Spanish talent that has recently dominated international soccer. Spain currently holds both the Nations League and European Championship titles, showcasing their recent success. Ronaldo's peak years coincided with Spain's golden era, which included victories in Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. As the European qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup are set to be drawn in December, the dynamics of the tournament are changing. The top-tier teams advancing to the Nations League Final Four will have a unique qualifying schedule, playing only six games from September to November 2025. This structure emphasizes the importance of the Nations League in determining World Cup entries. The upcoming matches will also feature other veteran players like Luka Modrić and Robert Lewandowski, who, despite their age, remain active in international soccer. The new Nations League format introduces a quarterfinals round for the top eight nations, adding excitement and competitiveness to the tournament.