Cristiano Ronaldo still key for Portugal despite injury absence - Roberto Martinez
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Cristiano Ronaldo still key for Portugal despite injury absence - Roberto Martinez
"Cristiano is our captain, a role model and a player with a real hunger. He's not just a 41-year-old player; he's a player who's hungry to improve every day. He's proving to be an exemplary captain and an inspiration to the younger players, someone who shows the way and embodies our values."
"We assess the players on a day-to-day basis, session by session, and the standards in the national team are the highest for everyone. Cristiano is our captain; he's a very important player. He was our captain in the Nations League and plays a huge part in the team's final third, that movement in the box."
"The end of his career? We don't know. It's hard to say. I've quickly learned not to try and predict the future with Cristiano."
Roberto Martinez emphasizes Cristiano Ronaldo's vital role for Portugal at 41 years old, highlighting his leadership and hunger for improvement. Ronaldo, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, is expected to captain the team in a record sixth World Cup. He has scored 25 goals in the last 30 games and is seen as an inspiration for younger players. Despite concerns about his fitness, Martinez reassures that Ronaldo's injury is minor, and he is expected to return to training soon. Ronaldo's future in football remains uncertain.
Read at ESPN.com
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