Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has defended Cristiano Ronaldo's inclusion in his squad for the 2024 UEFA European Championship, despite him playing in Saudi Arabia now.
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The Madeira native is perhaps A Selecao das Quinas' greatest ever player, holding the record for most appearances made (207) and most goals scored (130), and having skippered the nation to its first and only major title when he helped them win the EUROs in 2016.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is, however, now in the latter stages of his career and no longer plays in Europe.
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Despite plying his trade in the Middle East with Al Nassr, though, his national team coach Martinez believes Ronaldo's record-breaking campaign in the Saudi Pro League in the past campaign warrants his inclusion in the latest Portugal set-up, and rubbished claims the icon was only chosen based on his reputation.
"Cristiano is in the national team on merit. Nobody gets into the national team by just having a name. Cristiano scored 50 goals in 51 games – consistent with his club in his league – and he scored [10] goals in our qualification rounds," the Spaniard said, as per Goal.
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"He's a goalscorer and, for us, he's someone who can make that final move. He can stretch defences and open spaces. Over the years, he has changed his way of playing slightly, but I can only say that Cristiano is in the national team on merit and the numbers are there to back that up."
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