Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, has discussed how Cristiano Ronaldo affects the current Portugal squad.
He stated that the experienced attacker now mostly plays as a striker and commended his leadership, as well as his performance statistics and achievements.
Ronaldo is scheduled to captain Portugal at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, his final, this summer.
Some have questioned if the 40-year-old attacker still has a place on the team due to his age.
He has scored numerous goals, yet various fans and analysts have noted that his work ethic on the pitch is lacking.
However, in an interview with ESPN, Roberto Martinez spoke of the Al-Nassr star, saying:
“I believe we must understand that everyone in the world knows Cristiano Ronaldo and has an opinion about him.
“The Cristiano Ronaldo who represented the national team 21 years ago is not the same player he is today. He is now more of a positional player, similar to a striker.
“He’s a player that helps our team finish games. He is the all-time leading scorer.
So having a man who has scored 25 goals in the last 30 games for the national team is a tremendous blessing.”
Martinez noted there is a difference between the current Ronaldo and the younger version of him, and he justified his current effect by saying:
“It is about the current; we are not discussing what he did ten years ago. For me, his dedication is extremely important. He is the only player in the world to have played more than 220 international matches.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience and commitment serve as an example.” He’s a player that motivates his teammates in the locker room.
“On the pitch, he attracts defenders and provides space for others, which is extremely essential to us. Furthermore, he shares a lot of his experience with the crew.
“A flaw?” I believe a player’s major shortcoming is when they do not put forth enough effort or have the proper mindset. A player who does not demonstrate commitment or the proper mindset is not selected for the national team.”