Ronaldo will soon become Portugal football captain: Scolari

LISBON (AFP) - Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has what it takes to shortly become a captain of Portugal's national team, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has said.



"I think during my time in Portugal he will become one of the captains of our team because he has the charisma for it, he has potential," he told a news conference to announce his 20-man squad for a Euro 2008 qualifier.

"He is young but he is learning very quickly how to lead a group," added Scolari, who is under contract with Portugal until 2008.

The Brazilian coach said Ronaldo's promotion to captain as well as the recovery from a lengthy injury of Deportivo Coruna's Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade would help make up for the retirement earlier this year of playmakers Luis Figo and Pauleta from international football.

Ronaldo, 21, has made 42 appearances for Portugal since he made his debut for the squad on August 20, 2003 against Kazakhstan. He has scored 14 times.

Scolari named both Ronaldo and Andrade in his 20-man squad which will face Kazakhstan in a Euro 2008 group A qualifier at home on November 15. Benfica striker Nuno Gomes was designated the captain of the squad for that match.