Ronaldo deserves credit for leading Portugal to nations league victory – Martinez

Ronaldo deserves credit for leading Portugal to nations league victory – Martinez

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has showered praises on Cristiano Ronaldo for his role in leading the country to their second Nations League trophy.

Portugal became the first team to win the tournament twice with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Spain.

Ronaldo scored the second goal for Portugal in regulation time before the tie went into penalties.

It was his 138th goal for his country, and also his 20th in his last 25 matches for Portugal, underlining his importance to the team even at the age of 40.

Martinez has revealed that Ronaldo deserves his place in the team due to his form, and unique experience.

He said: “At 40, he has a unique experience in the world of club football.

“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.

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“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 has scored more than 900 goals in his career. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has maintained a high-level consistency, scoring 25 goals for Al Nassr to finish as the Saudi Pro League top scorer for two consecutive seasons.

Martinez said Ronaldo is in the squad because of his high level consistency, and commitment.

He said: “He is in the national team and has to be at the highest level. 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.

“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.”

The Nations League triumph was Ronaldo’s third international trophy for Portugal, and he also became the oldest player to play in the final of the competition.

He has scored a world record 138 goals since making his Portugal debut in 2003.

He is also the all-time leading appearance-maker in men’s international football, having played 221 games, beating the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein in 2023.

Ronaldo will now turn his attention to club football as he attempts to extend his stay at Al Nassr with his contract set to expire in the summer.

Ronaldo deserves credit for leading Portugal to nations league victory – Martinez