Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be included in the Portugal squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers. New Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is believed to not leave out the national captain even after the starman was dropped to the bench in the FIFA World Cup knockouts. Fans on the internet are claiming that Martinez is making the easy choice of selecting Ronaldo.
One fan commented, “Obviously, the new manager will play him too otherwise every loss will be blamed on not playing Ronaldo.
He is manager’s insurance policy against media backlash.”
Obviously, the new manager will play him too otherwise every loss will be blamed on not playing Ronaldo.
He is manager’s insurance policy against media backlash.
— Son Goku (@SonGoku11417773) March 15, 2023
Martinez just fears the media backlash
— Thabo (@ThaboDipea) March 15, 2023
Meanwhile, some fans believe he has only been included as a squad player. He will stay on the bench and not start.
His role: bench warmer. Nice being included in such a vital role
— Rowan Curran (@RowanCurran) March 15, 2023
He was benched at the crucial WC games, and you expect him to play qualifiers. He will be dropped.
— Joseph Nyamuda (@NyamudaJoseph) March 15, 2023
Ronaldo was replaced by Goncalo Ramos in the World Cup starting 11. The Benfica striker is again expected to be selected and start the matches. However, Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, is also expected to contribute to the games.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to face his favorite international opponent
Portugal will begin their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein on March 23, 2023. Three days later, they will travel away to face Ronaldo’s favorite international opponent, Luxembourg. Ronaldo is the highest scorer in international soccer. Taking individual nations into account, Ronaldo scored the most goals against Luxembourg (9).
Matches ( EUROs Qualifiers )
• 24th March 2023 – Portugal🇵🇹 vs Liechtenstein🇱🇮
• 27th March 2023 – Portugal🇵🇹 vs Luxembourg🇱🇺— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) March 14, 2023
The other teams in Portugal’s Group J include Iceland, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Portugal is expected to ease past this group and qualify for the Euro 2024. They last won the tournament in 2016 after defeating France 1-0 in the final. Italy defeated England on penalties in the final to win the previous edition.
According to UEFA’s official website, Ronaldo has scored 118 goals in 196 international appearances. His first goal came against Greece in the UEFA Euro 2004. He scored a consolation header in a 1-2 loss against the eventual champions. His latest goal came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Ghana. It was a penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win. The sheer longevity of the Portuguese starman is visible in these stats.
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