“At some point you’ve got to let him sit out” - Portugal told to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for Euro 2024 match vs Turkey by Pundit
Former Venezuela international-turned-television pundit Alejandro Moreno has advised Roberto Martinez to bench Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d'Or looked largely ineffective as Portugal fought back from 1-0 down to secure a 2-1 win against Czechia in their Euro 2024 opener.
Lukas Provod gave the underdogs a surprise lead in the 62nd minute before Robin Hranac scored an own goal to level the scores. Youngster Francisco Conceicao eventually scored in the 92nd minute to secure all three points for the Selecao.
Alejandro Moreno has claimed that Roberto Martinez should not start Cristiano Ronaldo in three consecutive group-stage games given his age. The Venezuelan reckons the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend should be benched in Portugal's next Euro 2024 encounter against Turkey.
Moreno said, as quoted by ESPN FC:
“My concern is, if you indeed think that he is the answer, the guy to play centre-forward for you, I don’t think you should play him three matches in a row in the group stage."
Moreno insisted on the importance of keeping the Al-Nassr forward fresh saying:
“If you want the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has to be fresh. Therefore, at some point, you’ve got to let him sit out. Why not the middle game [against Turkey]?”
Ronaldo is currently 39 and is still scoring for fun in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr. He scored 44 goals and provided 13 assists in 45 appearances across competitions for the Riyadh-based side last season.
The former Juventus attacker has been a fantastic servant to Portugal over the years scoring 130 times in 208 caps.
Pundit makes big claim on Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Argentina-born Italy striker Dani Osvaldo has made a bold claim regarding Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Roma and Southampton striker has claimed that Ronaldo would have won two World Cups had he played for Brazil instead of Portugal.
Ronaldo has been incredibly successful at club level and also won the Euros with Portugal in 2016. However, he has not been able to help his side clinch the FIFA World Cup.
However, Osvaldo has insisted that Ronaldo would have been much more successful at the international level had he played for Brazil. Labelling Portugal as a 'non-competitive country', he said:
"It is not Cristiano's fault that he was born in a non-competitive country like Portugal and has no football tradition. If Cristiano Ronaldo were born in Brazil, he would simply win two World Cups."
Portugal will take on Turkiye at Signal Idna Park on June 22 as they push for their third major international trophy.