As Portugal faced a disappointing exit from Euro 2024, the role of Cristiano Ronaldo in the national team has become a subject of heated debate. At 39, Ronaldo‘s continued presence in the squad, under coach Roberto Martinez, has sparked concerns among fans and pundits alike. Many argue that his age and declining influence on the pitch may be hindering the development and effectiveness of Portugal’s newer talents.
Ronaldo’s performance at Euro 2024 was underwhelming by his high standards. He failed to score in open play throughout the tournament. His most notable contribution was an assist in the group stage against Turkey. Additionally, he missed a crucial penalty in the round of 16 against Slovenia. This moment only highlighted his struggles in the competition. Despite these setbacks, the superstar played every minute of the Seleção das Quinas’s matches, a decision that has been met with criticism.
What did Roberto Martinez say about Ronaldo?
Roberto Martinez, the Portugal head coach, has defended his decision to play Ronaldo throughout the tournament. He insists that the forward’s experience and discipline were valuable assets to the team. His goalscoring ability was not at its peak. The 51-year-old has also claimed that he possesses “confidential information” that justifies his choice to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, suggesting that they managed the player’s age effectively and that his presence was beneficial to the team’s strategy.
“It makes sense to ask this question. Age in tournaments is not important. I think being older actually helps. We saw that with Pepe, who played at a superlative level. The work of the medical team is very important. We monitored Cristiano’s performance through statistics, which show he was well managed, well-used. I have confidential information to back this up,” he said.
His reliance on Ronaldo, however, has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that younger players like Goncalo…
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-08-28 17:06:24
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-08-28 17:08:33
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.