Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo : Reuters)
Real Madrid superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo is thinking about the possibility of joining the Portugal national team during the 2016 Rio Olympics, according to the Washington Post.
Along with Argentina's Lionel Messi, the Portuguese standout is not yet decided if he wants to represent his home country on next year's summer competitions. But Brazil's Neymar had already announced in late January that he will be there in Rio, as per Bleacher Report.
The Olympics' association football event is actually a 23-and-under tournament, and Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo, who will turn 31 by the time the Rio games are held, should have been disqualified to participate because of their ages.
However, Olympic rules allow overage footballers to still play for their flag and country only that they are limited to three players per team. This means that Ronaldo can absolutely play if he wants to.
Reports abound that Ronaldo is currently contemplating whether to take part or not because he has to sacrifice the opening of Real's 2016-2017 season by doing so. The Rio Games will take place between August 3 to 20 next year, and Ronaldo would have to pass up quality vacation time as he is reportedly keen on competing in the 2016 Euro tourney which would run on June 10 to July 10.
FPF president Fernando Gomes seems to be letting Ronaldo decide on his own if he wants to come or not. Gomes told reporters during the UEFA meeting in Prague on Monday that the Real Madrid star is definitely considered, but they have not talked to him yet.
