Cristiano Ronaldo will start Portugal’s final Group F match against Georgia at Euro 2024, coach Roberto Martinez said on Tuesday.
Veteran forward Ronaldo, 39, could become the oldest player to score at a European Championship during Wednesday’s match in Gelsenkirchen, after Croatia’s Luka Modric claimed the record on Monday night.
Ronaldo is yet to score at this Euros but did set up Bruno Fernandes in Portugal’s previous 3-0 win over Turkey, which sealed top spot in the group.
Martinez informed reporters that the captain would start in the XI, having played a preparation game and enjoyed a strong season with ample minutes.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the captain’s competitive edge, citing the detrimental effects of inconsistent playing time.
Martinez added that he hoped there would be no more pitch invaders trying to get at Ronaldo after a series of breaches of stadium security during Portugal’s win against Turkey last Saturday.
Ronaldo was initially amused when a young boy burst onto the field and grabbed a selfie with his idol but quickly got annoyed as a clutch of copycats managed to get on the pitch and harass him in the final minutes of the match.
Martinez remarked that the player had been part of the national team for over 20 years, highlighting his extensive experience and familiarity with fan support, not only from Portugal but from football enthusiasts in general.
He expressed hope that there would be no pitch invasions, underscoring the dangers and negative impact such incidents have on the sport.
Portugal might have already won Group F, but their performance will make a difference to the final standings as bottom-team Georgia will reach the last 16 with a win.
With AFP
