A new era for the Portuguese national team has begun with the start of the Euro 2024 qualification, as former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has replaced Fernando Santos. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s biggest superstar, has started to shine brightly under the new head coach.
Ronaldo’s remarkable international career has continued despite his being benched at some point during the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. He has now earned a total of 198 caps for Portugal. By scoring four times in games against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, he proved to be an indispensable member of the team.
Head coach Roberto Martinez has spoken about the importance of the most decorated player in his squad.
2 jogos, 2 vitórias! Objetivo cumprido. Feliz por ter contribuído para este início muito positivo da nossa seleção. Vamos!💪🏼🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/mLmlAVGFiU
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) March 26, 2023
“Cristiano is a unique player in the world, with the highest number of international caps. The experience he has in the dressing room is very important. All players have an important role. The younger ones due to their willingness to play and players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Rui Patricio, and Bernardo Silva bring experience. It’s important to have a complete dressing room,” Martinez said during the post-match conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo was in fine form in the EURO qualifiers
Under the new coach, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be reborn after a poor World Cup. During his last ever World Cup, he was benched by former manager Fernando Santos because of poor form in an all-important quarterfinal match against Morocco. Portugal went on to lose the match and was knocked out of the World Cup.
Santos’ decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo was heavily criticized by fans and pundits alike. Cristiano himself was seen full of tears as he was heading to the tunnels post-Morocco-defeat, as it was his final shot at winning the most coveted soccer trophy.
Before the start of the Euro qualifiers, Roberto Martinez said in an interview that Cristiano Ronaldo “is a very important figure” to his side. Ronaldo proved his new coach correct by scoring a brace in both of the games.
With Cristiano Ronaldo in excellent form, Portugal can easily eye the next EURO 2024 tournament, a title Ronaldo already won in 2016 but will be looking to win once again.
