"If he can bring something to the squad, why not pick him?" Brown said. "Does that mean he has to play every game? Look at the last competition, everyone was saying he shouldn't play but he did okay."

Brown also acknowledged that Ronaldo is still driven to succeed and can still contribute to the team. He noted that Ronaldo's energy and belief in himself are still evident, and he can still do what he does best.

Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and has signed a new two-year contract with the club. He will be 42 years old when his contract expires.

Portugal is set to compete in the World Cup next year, and Ronaldo will be looking to add another trophy to his collection. He previously helped Portugal win the Euro 2016 title.