Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has outlined why Cristiano Ronaldo is still an undisputed starter for the Portuguese national team. Recall that Ronaldo turns 41 in February but captains the Selecao and is expected to play a prominent role at the 2026 World Cup next summer.
According to him, talent, experience and attitude are the 3 main factors behind Ronaldo‘s longevity with Portugal, and that has helped him remain captain of the team for many years.
Martinez added that CR7’s hunger to be the best is very contagious, and that will definitely help his teammates.
His words, “Attitude. There are three pillars that we constantly analyse: talent, experience, and the attitude he can bring to the Selecao.
That maximum demand he places on himself to be present and help is what allows the captain of the national team to always be on the roster. That hunger to be the best is contagious. 25 goals in 30 games playing as a striker shows that what he does on the field contributes a lot to the national team.”
On his assessment of his time in charge of the Selecao, “I always like to work with the idea of making decisions that will be valid for the next 20 years. It’s a responsibility we have. We’ve played 36 matches and have achieved a very good balance and great consistency.”
WOW.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on 5 February 1985 in the São Pedro parish of Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, and grew up in the nearby parish of Santo António. He is the fourth and youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos Viveiros da Aveiro, who worked as a cook in the hospitality industry and a cleaning woman, and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener at the Junta de Freguesia of Santo António and part-time kit man for football club Andorinha.
Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United was completed on 12 August 2003, too late for the 2003 FA Community Shield but in time for their game against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the 2003–04 season, and made him the first Portuguese player to sign for the club.
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee at the time of £80 million (€94 million). His contract, which ran until 2015, was worth €11 million per year and contained a €1 billion buy-out clause.
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