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Roberto Martinez explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement in Portugal’s “new cycle” following disappointing performance at 2022 World Cup.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has provided an explanation for his choice to include Cristiano Ronaldo in the “new cycle” of the team.
Ronaldo captained Portugal at the 2022 World Cup under former manager Fernando Santos after departing Manchester United under a cloud of scandal, however, due to his lacklustre play in the knockout rounds, Goncalo Ramos took his position.
Ronaldo’s days playing for Portugal’s national team appeared to be limited at 38 years old given the country’s abundance of offensive skill. However, after taking over in January, new coach Martinez has included him in both of his teams and cited the forward’s leadership and experience as justifications.
The Spanish tactician told talkSPORT: “I was appointed on January 9 and had six weeks with the starting point of meeting every player who was in that list of 26 players in Qatar. So you’re talking about going to the five top leagues in Europe, going to Saudi Arabia and being in Portugal and it was fascinating to see every player and how they developed their roles in different dressing rooms in different leagues. At that point you get the opportunity to meet the person behind the footballer and for me, it was a very clear moment.
“I met all the players and in that you see what it means to play football and where they are in their careers. For Cristiano, he wasn’t ready to step away. He was ready and wanting to be a part of the new cycle and at that point it was very easy to include him into the March camp, and then you can make a football decision. He scored four goals, he was a real leader, a captain and someone who brings an experience that no other player has in world football. He’s someone who can reach 200 caps for your country and someone who needs to be used in your dressing room.”
Martinez’s choice to start Ronaldo in Portugal’s previous European qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg was undoubtedly justified.
The Al-Nassr captain created history by being the first player to play in two men’s international matches, and Portugal amassed an enormous eleven goals to win Group J.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will undoubtedly captain Portugal in their next European matches against Bosnia at home and Iceland on June 17 and 20, respectively.
Os Escolhidos 🫡 Estes são os convocados para os jogos de qualificação para o Europeu! #VesteABandeira pic.twitter.com/X8Za6Dp9hl
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) May 29, 2023