While You Were Asleep: Ronaldo joins Portugal teammates, Rashford withdraws from England squad, Conte in danger of losing his job

Cristiano Ronaldo was seen taking part in a stretching session on Monday evening after arriving in Lisbon. The 38-year-old looked in good spirits as he linked up with the team after their World Cup heartbreak.

Portugal will face both Liechtenstein and Luxembourg on the way to Euro 2024.

Segundas-feiras perfeitas: eles estão de volta! 😍 #VesteABandeira

Our boys are here. 😍 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/lIf4PUoTXg

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 20, 2023

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his international career, Ronaldo has been selected to represent Portugal in the upcoming fixtures.

Many thought Ronaldo would retire from international football after Portugal’s World Cup journey ended in disappointment.

However, Ronaldo took to social media after the game to tell fans he was still ‘dedicated’ to representing his country.

He said: “Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career. Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream.”

No Rashford for England

Marcus Rashford, Nick Pope and Mason Mount have been withdrawn from the England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Football Association has confirmed.

Fraser Forster has been called up as a replacement for the injured Pope.

pic.twitter.com/ZIb1EuL250

— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) March 17, 2023

The in-form forward Rashford sustained a knock in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory against Fulham on Sunday, while the Chelsea midfielder Mount is also to remain with his club for treatment.

The goalkeeper Pope reported an injury after Newcastle’s Premier League win at Nottingham Forest on Friday and will also not join the squad. Tottenham goalkeeper Forster, 35, returns to the international fold for the first time in a year and will have a chance to add to his six caps.

England face Italy in Naples on Thursday before hosting Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday.

Conte on his way out

Tottenham is likely to sack their manager Antonio Conte during the international break, following the Italian’s incredible verbal attack on his players.

It has become increasingly clear over recent weeks that Conte will not stay on beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.

Conte plunged the club into an immediate crisis on Saturday when he castigated the players after the 3-3 draw at Southampton, the team having surrendered a 3-1 lead.

Conte has made it clear to the chairman, Daniel Levy, and the board that his comments, including the one about how the club “don’t play for something important … Tottenham’s story is this,” was not a dig at them – rather the players and them alone.

Club chairman Daniel Levy has given serious consideration over sacking the Italian. According to a report in the Guardian, “Levy had held a video call on Monday afternoon with key aides to discuss the way forward, and is acutely aware of the collateral damage from Conte’s outburst.”