Portugal’s national team coach, Roberto Martinez has reeled out several factors that make him count on football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo to floor Nigeria’s Super Eagles during Wednesday’s international friendly, Sports247 reports.
With the football world looking up expectantly to the encounter in the Portuguese city of Leiria, a heated part of the debate has been about the relevance of 41-year-old Ronaldo for this game and the World Cup itself.
Questions continue rising about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s presence with Portugal’s squad in recent years, but Martinez pointed out that the iconic player’s long line of honours justify his inclusion in the World Cup-bound team.
However, while speaking to FourFourTwo, the former Belgium national team and ex-Everton of England coach dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo’s place is based only on reputation, as he pointed out that the star has aldo pulled off recent feats at club level.
Martinez went on to reel out the facts and declared, “For us, Cristiano’s role is very specific and very clear. He’s our primary goalscorer. He opens up space brilliantly with his movement inside the box – the timing, the positioning.
“The runs he makes across defenders are among the best in the world, even now. He also brings experience in decisive moments that nobody else in the squad can match. None have what he has in the number of decisive games he’s played.
“Then there’s his attitude. His commitment to Portugal is total, absolute and strong even today – not historical. That’s why he remains our captain. He’s scored 25 goals in 30 matches under my management.
“The numbers make the argument for him. Our standard for selection is identical for every single player, and it’s very high. Cristiano meets it. He’s not in the squad because of what he was, but because his present form earns it every time.”
