Cristiano Ronaldo’s unwavering commitment to international football, even at the age of 39, continues to inspire his teammates, according to Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. The superstar’s arrival in Scotland ahead of the crucial Nations League match against Scotland has sparked a wave of excitement among fans and generated a palpable buzz around the team.
While Portugal opted to train at St Mirren’s ground in Paisley for their pre-match preparations instead of Hampden Park, where the game against Scotland will take place on Tuesday, Ronaldo’s presence has captivated the nation. Hundreds of fans flocked to the SMiSA Stadium hoping for a glimpse of the legendary forward.
At his pre-match press conference, Martinez highlighted Ronaldo’s unique and impactful influence on the team. “When you arrive in a stadium, in a place like this, I think you get to know the iconic figure and the career of a player that is unique,” said Martinez. He emphasized Ronaldo’s unparalleled achievements, particularly his record-breaking 200 international caps and countless goals, making him a true inspiration for the team. “There is not another player with more than 200 caps at international level as an example, the number of goals that he’s scored, the trophies that he’s achieved.”
Martinez emphasized the ease of managing a player like Ronaldo who is solely focused on contributing to the team’s success. “For me, it’s very easy to manage a player that can help the team to win tomorrow. All the rest is something for all of us to enjoy because it’s a unique case, and I think we can all learn from being close to him.”
Despite criticism for his performance at Euro 2024, where Portugal crashed out in the quarterfinals against France, Ronaldo has retained his place in the starting lineup under Martinez. He recently scored his 133rd international goal in a 3-1 Nations League victory over Poland in Warsaw, demonstrating his continued impact.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, who started the match against Poland, is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming match against Scotland. Martinez assured fans that Ronaldo would be involved, stating, “I have no doubt that Cristiano, after 60 minutes (on Saturday) can be involved in the second game. I don’t know if he can start or if he can finish the game, but he can certainly be involved.”
Portugal has been dominant in Group A1 of the Nations League, winning all three of their games. A victory against Scotland in Glasgow would put them on the verge of qualifying for the quarterfinals in March. Ronaldo’s presence and experience will undoubtedly be crucial in their quest for success.