Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal

Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has urged Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo for their first two matches at Euro 2024. Merson suggests that Martinez should prioritize securing qualification to the knockout stages before considering the Al-Nassr forward for their final group game.

The Euro 2024 tournament kicks off this Friday in Germany, with Portugal placed in Group F alongside Turkey, Czech Republic, and Georgia.

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Discussing Portugal’s prospects, Merson told Sportskeeda, “Portugal are an aging team but they have a lot of experience within the squad. Ronaldo is still their captain and banging in the goals in Saudi Arabia, but I think they will see what he is like in the camp and take a call on his selection. I would personally leave him out of the first two games and get qualification sorted before bringing him back for the final encounter.”

Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal