Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘an icon’ and remains a vital part of the national team.
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“Unique experience in football”
Ronaldo won the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal on Sunday, his third title with the national team.
The Al Nassr forward scored his 138th international goal in the final against Spain, extending his own all-time record.
“At 40, he has unique experience in the world of club football,” Martinez said.
“Being a coach isn’t about picking or not picking Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s about using the best players to have the best team and win titles. It’s important to make decisions based on facts, and Cristiano has scored 20 goals [for Portugal] in [the last] 25 games. There are no records like this.
“We’ve managed to make the dressing room a very competitive place, and when you have a player like Ronaldo, it’s a football lesson every day.”
Ronaldo is an “icon”, according to Martinez
Ronaldo also captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship title and the 2019 Nations League trophy.
Martinez emphasized that the former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker deserves his place in the squad and continues to inspire the younger generation.
“He is in the national team and has to be at the highest level,” Martinez said.
“But I think you have to understand the moments in a footballer’s career. He was a player who lived for dribbling, for that last move. Now he’s a player who has made history. He’s the best player in the history of Portugal and probably one of the most influential in the game.”
“He’s more than a player, he’s an icon,” he said.
“Almost like the weather, something you talk about in the elevator. Every day he takes opportunities to improve. That is something that is very contagious. The fact that he only wants to improve influences the younger generation.”
“He’s more than a player, he’s an icon,” he said.
“Almost like the weather, something you talk about in the elevator. Every day he takes opportunities to improve. That is something that is very contagious. The fact that he only wants to improve influences the younger generation.”
