Following a dismal 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, Portugal parted ways with Fernando Santos, and Roberto Martinez joined the team in January of this year. Meanwhile, Belgium, who similarly suffered at the Qatar spectacular in December of last year, fired the former Everton manager.
Martinez has managed ten games for A Selecao, all of which were in Euro 2024 qualifying. In March 2023, he started his reign with a 4-0 victory against Liechtenstein and then thrashed Luxembourg 6-0. Also, Martinez has hailed his star player Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude and commitment towards his country and the team.
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 23, 2023
He said, “I can disclose the one thing that (Ronaldo) he said is that..is something that “having 200 caps interest you or not? He said: 250 interests me,” regarding Ronaldo’s commitment towards Portugal. It seems like Ronaldo does not intend to stop as he wants to hit the 250 international caps mark in his career, he is at 205 now.
Roberto Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo have shared their personal views on how to go about in the major tournaments as per various reports. It remains to be seen how Portugal and its manager Roberto Martinez, will perform in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024.
Roberto Martinez considers Cristiano Ronaldo “very important” for Portugal
Coach Roberto Martinez stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is still a “very important” player for Portugal following the veteran striker’s second straight brace against Luxembourg in the Euro 2024 qualifying match. In every game Portugal has played under Roberto Martinez, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored, except for one. He is one of the most impactful players in the Portugal national soccer team.
The five-time UEFA Champions League winner defeated Luxembourg and Liechtenstein with braces before winning against Iceland back in June 2023. With 205 caps for Portugal at the international level, Ronaldo is the first male soccer player to accomplish that feat. With his strike against Liechtenstein, he increased his record for A Selecao to 128 goals, making him the top scorer in men’s international soccer.
📊 Cristiano Ronaldo 🆚 Al-Ettifaq (SPL 23/24)
🕧90′ Minutes Played
✋61 Touches
⚔️7(5) Shots(OT)
⚽1 Goal
🅰️1 Assist
🔑2 Key passes
💫1 Big chance create
🪄4 Passes into final third
↗️3 Cross
♻️1 Recoveries
💪1 Duels won
🤕1 Was fouled⭐ 8.7 Match Rating(Highest)🐐🔥 pic.twitter.com/owFJKqoUrV
— Cristiano Opta Stats (@CristianoOpta) December 22, 2023
Ronaldo scored 23 goals for his club and nation in 46 games across all competitions by the end of the 2022–2023 season. The 38-year-old scored 17 goals in 35 games for Manchester United and Al-Nassr, and he scored six goals in 11 appearances for his nation.
Fast-forward to the 2023-24 season, he has been on fire this year and has already reached the 50 goals tally this year and is in contention to win the top goalscoring award for the year. Cristiano Ronaldo’s will and determination is what makes him a unique player in soccer and millions of fans admire and get inspired by him each day.