June 21st 2024.
Roberto Martinez is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to serve as the main striker for Portugal in their Euro 2024 campaign. Despite being 39 years old, Ronaldo is participating in his sixth European Championship, which is a record for any player in history. He first joined the competition in 2004.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr, had an exceptional season where he scored a record-breaking 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League. In the first match of the Euro 2024 group stage, he led the line for Portugal against Czech Republic. There have been doubts about whether Portugal is better off without Ronaldo, considering the talented players they have in their squad. However, during the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo was dropped from the team after scoring only one goal in three group games, and his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick.
In the match against Czech Republic, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but did not manage to score. Portugal secured the win with an own goal and a last-minute goal from Francisco Conceicao. However, Martinez has dismissed any concerns about Ronaldo's role in the team. During a press conference before their upcoming match against Turkey, he stated that Ronaldo has a lot of experience and has played in six European Championships, which is a remarkable feat.
Martinez emphasized the importance of Ronaldo's presence in the team, stating that he brings experience and creates goal-scoring opportunities. He also praised Ronaldo's discipline and hard work, calling him a "killer" in the box. Martinez believes that Ronaldo's presence in the penalty area creates space for his teammates to score, as seen in Conceicao's goal against Czech Republic.
Portugal's next opponent, Turkey, impressed in their first group match against Georgia, securing a 3-1 win. However, Martinez and his team are fully focused on their own game plan and are not underestimating their opponents. With Ronaldo leading the line, Portugal is determined to continue their winning streak and make their mark in Euro 2024.
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