By Sergio Silva
Jun 17, 2024, 3:52 PM EDT
The Portuguese National Team debuts this Tuesday in the Euro Cup Germany 2024 facing the Czech Republic in a match that will mark a new record in the successful career of Cristiano Ronaldo who will become the first player in history to compete in six different editions of the championship.
The technical director of the Portuguese team, the Spaniard Roberto Martínez, defended this Monday the presence of the Portuguese star in the Portuguese team that will compete in this tournament despite his 38 years being, along with Pepe, 41, the oldest players in the competition. .
“Cristiano is in the national team because of his merits”stated Martínez bluntly, who since he arrived on the Portuguese bench at the beginning of 2023 has once again given Cristiano Ronaldo the confidence that he lost in the last stage of Fernando Santos’ cycle at the head of the team.
“He has scored 50 goals in 51 games this season. He was a regular in his club and in his league. For us, as a scorer, he is someone who can make a difference, who can fix the defense.”highlighted the strategist about the value that CR7’s presence continues to bring to the Portuguese team.
The strategist also acknowledged that it is a fact that his performance is no longer the same as in other times, taking into account his 39 years. However, he points out that his presence is still a product of what he does on the playing field.
“Obviously, over the years he has changed his way of playing, but he is here only because of his merits and because of the numbers that back him up.”He added about the Al Nassr player from Saudi Arabia, where this season he became the player with the most goals in the same campaign.
But Roberto Martínez not only highlights the contribution that Cristiano Ronaldo continues to provide to the national team, but also that of other players like Pepe, who at 41 years old continues to show that he can add to the group.
“In my experience in European and world tournaments, the mix of experience and young talent is good and has been represented in this concentration. With Pepe and Cristiano we have verified it”reiterated the coach who arrived in Portugal after a successful time leading the Belgian National Team.
“Then there are other players like (Rubén) Neves who demonstrate their experience on the field of play. The mix is necessary and they are all united in the same commitment. That is essential for us”said the Spanish coach, highlighting the good atmosphere in the Portuguese team.
Portugal, which promises to fight in this Euro 2024 Germany Championship, is in Group F along with the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia. Their first match will be this Tuesday against the Czechs and then they will return to the field on Saturday against the Turks and will close four days later against the Georgians.
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