Cristiano Ronaldo excluded from Portugal squad for two upcoming matches

Cristiano Ronaldo has not played for Portugal since the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. (Reuters Photo)

Cristiano Ronaldo has not played for Portugal since the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. (Reuters Photo)
Cristiano Ronaldo has not been included in Portugal's national squad for their upcoming matches, the announcement was made on Thursday -- a week before the matches take place.
Portugal will face Poland in the UEFA Nations League on October 11 and then have a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on October 14.
Various reports of the Portuguese superstar involving in a rape incident has dominated the headlines over the past couple of weeks but on Wednesday, Ronaldo denied any wrongdoing and said that he will wait for the results of the investigations carried out regarding the matter.
"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
"My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquility the results of any and all investigations," Ronaldo tweeted.
On Thursday, Portugal coach Fernando Santos said Ronaldo also will not be called up for the next round of international games in November.
Santos said the decision was taken after a three-way conversation between him, Ronaldo and the head of the Portuguese soccer federation. He refused to give details of the conversation, nor would he comment on Ronaldo's state of mind, saying the information was private and personal.
Santos said he expected Ronaldo to play again for Portugal eventually.
Few days back as well, the Juventus player denied raping an American woman in a Instagram live video and called it fake news.
"No, no, no, no, no. What they said today? Fake, fake news," Ronaldo said in an Instagram live video on Sunday, dismissing the claims.
"They want to promote [themselves by using] my name. It's normal. They want to be famous to say my name, but it is part of the job. I am a happy man and all good," Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo had also missed Portugal's first two post-World Cup matches last month, with Santos saying then that Ronaldo had only just moved to Italian club Juventus and was still settling down there.
Santos used the 33-year-old team captain's absence last month to try out younger players.
Ronaldo, who is nearing the end of his playing career, is a national hero in Portugal and the country's best-known celebrity.
He is the country's most experienced player with 154 national team appearances, and its all-time highest scorer with 85 goals.
MORATA, KOKE RETURN TO SPAIN SQUAD, INJURED COSTA EXCLUDED
Alvaro Morata has scored just one goal for Chelsea in six appearances this season. (Reuters Photo)
Coach Luis Enrique has recalled Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke and Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata to the Spain squad for this month's internationals against Wales and England, although forward Diego Costa has been excluded.
Costa, who withdrew from the squad last month for personal reasons, came off injured during Atletico's 3-1 win over Club Bruges in the Champions League on Wednesday, although it remains unclear if he has omitted this time due to injury.
Spain play Wales in a Cardiff friendly next Thursday, before hosting England in a UEFA Nations League tie at Real Betis's Benito Villamarin Stadium the following Sunday.
Spain top the Nations League A Group 4 standings on six points after beating England 2-1 and hammering Croatia 6-0 last month.
Luis Enrique has also handed a first ever call up to Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Jonny Castro and recalled Real Betis defender Marc Bartra and Borussia Dortmund forward Paco Alcacer, having worked with the latter pair while at Barcelona.
Barca defender Jordi Alba, however, continues to be overlooked despite showing strong form for his club.
Real Madrid pair Isco and Dani Carvajal, and Barca's Sergi Roberto and Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez were part of the last squad but all miss out through injury.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pau Lopez.
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Raul Albiol, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, Marc Bartra, Jonny Castro, Marcos Alonso, Jose Gaya.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Koke, Saul Niguez, Thiago Alcantara, Dani Ceballos.
Forwards: Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas, Alvaro Morata, Suso, Rodrigo Moreno, Paco Alcacer.
(With inputs from agencies)

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