Ronaldo will take part in Nations League confirm Portugal… and could face England in final this summer
The hosts of the finals will have their talisman available to try to power them to glory on home soil
CRISTIANO RONALDO will play for Portugal at this summer's Nations League finals - and could face England in the final.
His national team boss Fernando Santos confirmed the news all of Portugal was desperate to hear.
Santos told Sport TV: "Yes, CR7 will certainly be in the squad that I will name on May 23.
"His absence during the group stage, which has already been explained, was totally legitimate and understandable."
There were some fears Ronaldo would not feature for his country in the finals.
That is because, as Santos alluded to, he did not feature in the group stages against Poland and Italy because he took a post-World Cup international break.
But he did come back for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Ukraine and Serbia in March, picking up a hamstring injury against the latter.
Ronaldo has 85 goals in 156 Portugal caps - no player has more goals or appearances for the country - and will be desperate to add to those in his homeland this summer.
Portugal face Switzerland in the first semi-final on June 5 and victory would ensure they reach a second European final in three years.
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Ronaldo famously led his country from the sidelines when they edged out France in the Euro 2016 final but Santos will want the Juventus star available for a potential final.
And it could well be against Gareth Southgate's England, of course.
The Three Lions face the Netherlands on June 6 for a place in the inaugural Nations League final.
