“What he can see in the dressing room is important” - Roberto Martinez responds to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim about Portugal ahead of Euro 2024
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez reckons Cristiano Ronaldo will have a key role to play if A Selecao wish to go all the way at Euro 2024 in Germany. The 2016 champions open their campaign in Leipzig on Tuesday (June 18) against the Czech Republic.
Martinez's side produced a flawless qualifying campaign - winning all 10 games - with Ronaldo leading from the front with 10 goals in nine games. The 39-year-old is also coming off a superb club season with Al-Nassr - bagging 44 goals - including a record 36 in the Saudi Pro League.
Portugal have a star-studded roster with quality players all over the pitch. Providing his take on his team's title-winning credentials at Euro 2024 and the role of Ronaldo, Martinez said (as per OJogo):
I think the qualifying phase showed that the group has a very important attitude and commitment. We won 10 games, but now it's the tournament. There are three games, and we have to demonstrate the level we have here. Cristiano has a lot of experience. He is the only one to have played in five European Championships.
"He can play in the sixth. His experience is important. What he can see in the dressing room is important. As a team, we need to face moments of adversity during the tournament, to see if we have the level to go far.
Ronaldo is looking to become the first player to play six edition of the Euros, two more than any other player, at Euro 2024.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a goalscorer" - Portugal boss ahead of Euro 2024 campaign
Cristiano Ronaldo is a goalscorer par excellence and has been going strong for more than two decades. On the cusp of 900 goals for club and country, he's the most prolific scorer in men's football.
Martinez paid due cognisance of that as he said in the aforementioned interview, waxing lyrical of his captain's finishing ability and the way he can 'open' up spaces, elaborating:
"Cristiano scored 9 goals in our qualification, a lot of goals at the club, he is a goalscorer, who can finish, who can open spaces, over the years he has changed the way he plays.”
Ronaldo has scored 130 times in 207 games - both record tallies in men's internataional football - for Portugal.