Ronaldo deserves to play for Portugal, insists coach Martinez

Roberto Martinez maintained on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo is entitled to represent Portugal at Euro 2024, as the ageing icon prepares to face Turkey in a potentially critical Group F match.

Ronaldo is the all-time best scorer in Portugal, having scored 130 goals in a record 208 international appearances. At the age of 39, he is currently participating in his sixth European Championship.

Despite the fact that he has not been the same player since relocating to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia last year, he remains a regular member of his national team. Martinez has indicated that he will be playing in Dortmund on Saturday.

“I believe that it is crucial to comprehend the contributions of a player.” “Cristiano brings the experience, know-how, goal-scoring opportunities, movement in the box, and the opportunity to create space for us,” Martinez informed reporters.

Ronaldo was present for the entirety of Portugal’s opening 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Leipzig, but he failed to score. Francisco Conceicao scored the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute.

“If you wish to analyse the statistics in terms of the physical aspect, you must examine his performance over the past year,” Martinez continued. Ronaldo has tallied 44 goals in 45 games for his club this season.

He also scored seven goals in seven appearances for Portugal between the start of the season and the commencement of the Euros.

“Cristiano is in the national team of Portugal because he deserves to be, and all the physical stats just back that he can play every four days.”

Portugal will qualify for the last 16 in Germany in first place if they win at the Westfalenstadion and Georgia does not defeat the Czechs in Hamburg, despite trailing group leaders Turkey on goal difference in Group F.

In the inaugural match of the tournament, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1. They will once again compete in Dortmund, where they will be met with a boisterous and substantial crowd.