SUMMARY
- Roberto Martinez, the new national team coach of Cristiano Ronaldo, has been impressed with the player's elite mentality and hunger despite his age of 38.
- While it is a no-brainer for CR7 to perform on the biggest stage, his performances are certainly applaudable considering his age.
Cristiano Ronaldo has impressed his new national team coach, Roberto Martinez. The Belgian is reportedly, surprised with CR7’s elite mentality and hunger even at the ripe age of 38. According to, the 50-year-old Cristiano is very different from other soccer players in terms of mentality. Roberto Martinez is hoping for a fit Cristiano Ronaldo, as Portugal aims for glory in the Euro 2024.
Roberto Martinez joined the Portugal National Soccer Team after the FIFA World 2022. Martinez had joined the team after leaving his position as Belgium’s head coach and the Spaniard has worked wonders. What looked like a disjointed unit in the later years of Fernando Santos era (Portugal’s previous manager) is now a team that clicks very well. Portugal topped its Euro 2024 qualifiers group with 10 wins out of 10.
🚨Roberto Martinez on Ronaldo:
“While the body fails and the mind accepts, with Cristiano, it seems the opposite is happening. The body will only stop when the mind says it should stop.”
“He does everything to be at the optimal level. It’s incredible when a player is 38 years… pic.twitter.com/MxeEAjf0Mk
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) January 16, 2024
Much of the credit goes to their captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al-Nassr player scored 10 goals in 9 games and provided two assists to propel his national side. While it is a no-brainer for CR7 to perform on the biggest stage, his performances are certainly applaudable considering his age.
Roberto Martinez has agreed to this fact. The 50-year-old has been all praises for the former Real Madrid player since joining the team. He once compared CR7’s hunger for winning to that of an 18-year-old.
The former Everton FC manager praised Cristiano once again. He said, “While the body fails and the mind accepts, with Cristiano, it seems the opposite is happening. The body will only stop when the mind says it should stop.”
The Spaniard applauded Cristiano’s elite mentality. The Portuguese captain rarely gives up and does everything he can for the team on the pitch.
Roberto Martinez goes on to say, “He does everything to be at the optimal level. It’s incredible when a player is 38 years old with habits and desire of an 18-year-old. It’s an unbelievable ability to consistently excel. He has an elite mind, but there are no limits.”
The 50-year-old has agreed that CR7 has brought a positive change in the Portuguese dressing room with his healthy habits. These traits have helped the former Manchester United player to prolong his career and is still going strong at 38 years old.
Cristiano Ronaldo sends out a message after Lionel Messi’s FIFA Best Player of the Year win
Fans have known the Portuguese international for his highly competitive nature. His competitiveness has won him many special accolades like the Ballon d’Or five times. The five-time UEFA Champions League winner works very hard to lift every possible title and has vowed to do the same through one of his Instagram posts. The post came just after Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men’s Best Player of the Year 2023.
The caption of the post read, “Back for more! 💪🏽” Certainly, the Portuguese would have liked to win it after his stellar form in 2023 that saw him score an outrageous amount of goals for both club and country.
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Even the Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez was surprised by the numbers that CR7 had put in the calendar year. He said, “He scored 53 goals in 2023, and now it’s time to look at the next goal. Having commitment and hunger is crucial. Cristiano Ronaldo has created a legacy and we must take advantage of that.”
Roberto Martinez also hoped that Cristiano Ronaldo would maintain his terrific form as Portugal looks to be one of the favorites for the UEFA EURO 2024. The continental competition begins on 15th June 2024 with the Germany being the host.