Roberto Martinez explains Cristiano Ronaldo's inclusion in Portugal starting XI for Euro 2024 clash against Georgia
Portugal national team head coach Roberto Martinez stated that he started Cristiano Ronaldo in their Euro 2024 group stage clash against Georgia as the forward needs to remain "active". The match is currently underway at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
The Selecao, along with Turkey, Georgia, and Czechia, have been sorted into Group F and are on top of their group with six points from two matches. Having already secured qualification to the Round of 16, Martinez rested regular starters like Pepe, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva for the clash against Georgia.
However, the Portuguese captain retained his position in the starting XI, despite his advanced age (39) making him a prime candidate to be rested. Explaining his decision ahead of the Selecao's Euro 2024 clash, Roberto Martinez said (via @CristianoXtra_ on X):
"Cristiano is a player who has played a lot of matches and needs to be active. It is very important, it is dangerous to stop."
In their first two group stage games at the Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal defeated Czechia 2-1 on June 18, followed by a 3-0 win against Turkey on June 22.
"He still rises to the big occasion" - Michael Owen on Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portugal star awaits his first goal at Euro 2024
Former Real Madrid striker Michael Owen recently discussed Cristiano Ronaldo's run at Euro 2024, where he is yet to find the back of the net for Portugal.
During Portugal's 3-0 win against Turkey, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for all-time assists (7) at the European Championship by assisting Bruno Fernandes, who netted the team's third goal in the 56th minute.
As Cristiano Ronaldo awaits his first goal at Euro 2024, Michael Owen shared his opinion and said (via Firstpost):
"If I was the manager of Portugal, I was in the European Championships finals tomorrow, and I would still have to play him. He’s still scoring incredible goals. He still sends shivers down the spine of anybody who’s out to play against him. He still rises to the big occasion. There’s nobody better on big occasions."
Expressing confidence in Ronaldo's abilities despite his age, Owen added:
“He scores big goals. You would expect to score those goals in a huge encounter. Some people think, 'Oh he’s too old, he’s too slow,' or whatever they think nowadays, he’s still an incredible player. Given a chance, I would still have my money on him to score a goal."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003, has netted 130 goals and provided 47 assists in 209 appearances for his nation.