England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted during a World Cup match against Wales, in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022.Marko Djurica/Reuters
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford left out of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024
Marcus Rashford was left out of England’s provisional squad for the European Championship on Tuesday.
The Manchester United striker has paid the price for a disappointing season at club level and failed to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man selection.
Jordan Henderson and Reece James were also left out.
“These are difficult calls, you are talking about players who are very good players who have been an important part of what we have done,” Southgate said. “With Marcus, I feel players in the same area of the pitch have had better seasons, it’s as simple as that.”
The squad will eventually be reduced to 26 players on June 8, with the Euros kicking off in Germany on June 14.
Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Portugal into record sixth European Championship
LISBON, Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make a record sixth appearance at the European Championship with Portugal’s squad.
Ronaldo was among the 26 players picked for the tournament in Germany by coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo first played in the competition in 2004, and led the national team to the title in 2016.
There had been some doubts about whether Ronaldo would continue playing with the national team after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he has remained a key player in Martinez’s squad.
Also in the list was veteran Pepe, the 41-year-old Porto defender who will play in his fifth Euro.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Germany and Real Madrid great Toni Kroos to retire after Euro 2024
MADRID – Toni Kroos will retire from soccer after trying to give Real Madrid yet another Champions League trophy and lead Germany to the European Championship title at home.
Madrid said Tuesday the 34-year-old German international “has decided to bring an end to his time as a professional footballer following Euro 2024.”
“Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends,” the club said.
Kroos was a World Cup champion with Germany in 2014 in Brazil, and had a successful career with Bayern Munich as well, helping it win one Champions League and three German league titles.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS