Portugal face Sweden in a friendly on Friday at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimaraes before beginning their Euro 2024 campaign in June.

Portugal is in Group F with the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece and Kazakhstan.

Portugal captain and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the squad to face Sweden by coach Roberto Martinez. Ronaldo will join Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Otavio, Ruben Neves, Vitinha and Joao Felix on the list of excluded players.

WHY IS RONALDO NOT PLAYING?

According to Martinez, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was not included in the squad to give him some rest after a turbulent campaign in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.

Martinez, however, suggested that Ronaldo could be back in the squad for Portugal's second friendly against Slovenia on March 27.

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Ronaldo has been an integral part of his club Al Nassr, scoring 30 goals and assisting 11 others in 30 appearances this season.

He last featured in Al Nassr's victory against Al-Ahli Saudi, scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot. Al Nassr are currently second in the Saudi Pro League, 12 points behind leaders Al-Hilal.

Bid for Euro 2024

Ronaldo will be an integral part of the Portugal team in their quest to win the European Championship again, which they previously won in 2016.

Portugal begin their campaign against the Czech Republic on June 19 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.

The 39-year-old has 128 goals and 46 assists in 205 appearances for his country and will be looking to add more to his tally.