Home » Nations League: Ronaldo called up as Portugal to face Denmark at quarter-final

Nations League: Ronaldo called up as Portugal to face Denmark at quarter-final

Club Competitions Pause for International Break, Nations League Quarter-Finals Take Center Stage

Cristiano Ronaldo got the call-up as Portugal preparing to face Denmark at the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal this week.

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Club football will take a two-week break to prepare for international fixtures.

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UEFA Nations League Quarter-Finals Set for March 20 & 23, 2025

The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals will headline the upcoming international break in March 2025. Eight teams—the Netherlands, Spain, Croatia, France, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, and Germany—will compete for four spots in the semi-finals. National teams have been preparing for battle ahead of these crucial fixtures.

Quarter-Final Fixtures:

• Netherlands vs. Spain
• Croatia vs. France
• Denmark vs. Portugal
• Italy vs. Germany

Second-Leg Fixtures (March 24, 2025, at 2:45)

A week after the first-leg ties, all four return legs will take place simultaneously:

• Spain vs. Netherlands
• France vs. Croatia
• Portugal vs. Denmark
• Germany vs. Italy

The four winners on aggregate will advance to the semi-finals, set to be played in June 2025.

Nations League QF: Is Portugal Still Reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo?

Even at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the first names on Portugal’s squad list for this international window. Head coach Roberto Martinez will face crucial decisions regarding whether to start Ronaldo or use him as a substitute against Denmark.

Gonçalo Ramos has struggled for form at PSG, while key midfielders Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves have shown signs of fatigue. The only in-form attacker currently available seems to be Rafael Leão. However, Portugal’s midfield remains a strong point, with rising stars like Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes providing plenty of quality.

Barcelona’s Strong Presence in the Spanish National Team

Barcelona players dominate the Spanish squad in this international break, reinforcing the club’s deep influence on La Roja.

The Catalan club has five players called up, and that number could have been even higher if not for injuries. Young talent Curbasi has earned a place, while key players like Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Dani Olmo are indispensable. Unfortunately, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez miss out due to injuries.

Defending European champions, Spain entered the Nations League as one of the top contenders. They remain unbeaten in competitive matches since winning Euro 2024 and are also the reigning Nations League champions, having secured the 2023 title in a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Croatia.

Previous UEFA Nations League Winners

• 2018/19: Portugal
• 2020/21: France
• 2022/23: Spain