Sports Desk:

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Portugal’s squad for Thursday’s international friendly against Sweden.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez had named Ronaldo in the preliminary 32-man squad last week which has now been reduced to 24.

The Al Nassr captain is one of eight players — Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Otavio, Rúben Neves, Vitinha and João Félix — that have been dropped for this week’s game in Guimaraes.

They will, however, join the national team after Thursday’s game in preparation for the friendly against Slovenia on March 26, Portugal’s Football Federation announced on Monday.

The former Real Madrid star scored in Al Nassr’s 1-0 league win at Al-Ahli on Friday and is Saudi Pro League’s leading scorer this season with 23 goals. Portugal players gathered on Monday in the national team’s headquarters in Lisbon.

Ronaldo, 39, is currently on holiday with his family in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 128 times for Portugal in 205 games since making his debut in 2003.