Cristiano Ronaldo: Cancelo Hints Al Nassr Star is Past His Prime With Portugal

• Cristiano Ronaldo will play no role when Portugal take on Sweden on Thursday in a friendly
• The veteran forward is among eight players who were dropped in the final 24-man squad
• Ronaldo is expected to return to the fold as Roberto Martinez's men prepare for the Euro24

Portugal star Joao Cancelo has suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo is past his prime with a telling statement.

Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time, thanks to his longevity, professionalism, and talent, which have seen him achieve insurmountable success.

The veteran striker has dominated the football world in the last few years, forming an important part of the Portugal national team.

However, the Al-Nassr superstar has been dropped from the Portugal team, which will face Sweden in a friendly clash on Thursday.

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According to ESPN, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez had named Ronaldo in the preliminary 32-man squad last week.

The team has now been reduced to 24, with the former Manchester United forward among the players dropped.

Cancelo hints Ronaldo is past his prime

Speaking on the 39-year-old's absence from the team, Cancelo hinted that Ronaldo may be past his prime.

While the Manchester City loanee admitted that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is a key player for the team, he was quick to insist that the national side does not entirely depend on him.

"He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d'Or, but the peak of a footballer's career is between the ages of 25 and 32," he said.

"He is an important player for us, but the national team does not entirely depend on him," he added.

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Per Sportskeeda, Ronaldo and Cancelo have shared the locker room with the national team in 69 games.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has earned 205 caps with Portugal and is the country's all-time top scorer with 128 goals to his name.

Players with the most hat-tricks

Earlier, Sports Brief listed the top 10 footballers with the most hat-tricks in the 21st century.

The list features some familiar names, including Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.