Cristiano Ronaldo May Play for Portugal at Rio Olympics
Cristiano Ronaldo's participation in the Rio Olympics may force the striker to miss the start of the La Liga 2016-17 season.
- Jepher Christopher Nickels
- Updated: June 30, 2015 07:13 PM IST
Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is considering playing star striker Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, according to a report in ESPNSoccernet.com.
According to Olympic rules, each team is allowed to nominate three players -- born before January 1, 1993 in this case -- in their U-23 squad for the football event and FPF chief Fernando Gomes said the 30-year-old striker's name is under consideration for the August 3-20 event next year. (Singapore Billionaire Acquires Ronaldo Image Rights)
"It is a possibility. We can bring three players aged over 23. Cristiano (Ronaldo) is one of those being considered, but we have not yet sat down to discuss it," Gomes has been quoted as saying.
Ronaldo was part of Portugal's U-23 side in the Athens Olympics in 2004. They finished at the bottom of their group.
It will be a hectic schedule for Ronaldo if the Portugal World Cup captain makes it to the final line-up as Olympic event begins after EURO Championship in France from June 10 to July 10, 2016. He is likely to miss Real Madrid's pre-season tour and the start of 2016-17 La Liga season. (Ronaldo Confirms he is Happy at Real Madrid)