After a gruelling season for Al-Nassr in the Saudi league, Cristiano Ronaldo is now all set to represent Portugal in Euro 2024. Portugal will take on Republic of Ireland in their final warm-up match ahead of the continental tournament. Portugal is among the favourites to win the Euro 2024, but there have been some doubts about Ronaldo’s fitness.
Ronaldo is still one of the deadliest strikers to play the game but at the age of 39, there are concerns about his physical condition. Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez shared an update on the talismanic player’s fitness.
“It is important for us to attack and defend with 11. Cristiano has brutal experience. There is no other with this experience. He is a player who knows very well how to use space in the area and is a special finisher, a special player. Cristiano’s focus, reaction to loss and defensive positions were perfect during the games we played, the last 11 games. So for me, there are no doubts, there are no worries,” Martinez said, as per GOAL.
“What happens with European and world tournaments that we need to evaluate every day, all games have different indices. Cris had 51 games last season and had no problems playing all the games, he played many competitions, but the dates to club level are not the same as at the national team level. I think there is no problem, but we evaluate this in real-time and during the tournament,” the former Everton and Belgium manager added.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 defeat against Croatia in an international friendly on Saturday. Diogo Jota scored the solitary goal of the game for the Portuguese side. Ronaldo has been in incredible form for the Saudi Premier League outfit Al-Nassr this season. He has scored 50 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions for Al-Nassr last season. Overall, Ronaldo has so far netted 64 goals for Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s goal-scoring tally in internationals is no less prolific. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star holds the record for the most international goals scored in men’s football. Ronaldo has so far bagged 128 goals in international football.
Portugal will kick off their Euro 2024 action with a match against the Czech Republic on June 18.
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