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Martinez explains Ronaldo decision after naming his first Portugal squad

talksport.com, 17 March 2023, 18:58
Cristiano Ronaldo's international career isn't over yet after he was named in the Portugal squad by Roberto Martinez.

It'll be the first time that the 38-year-old has featured for his country since completing his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

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Martinez has just taken charge of the national team and is preparing for his first fixtures against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg as part of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

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Ronaldo's future at international level appeared to be uncertain after he was dropped from the starting line-up for Portugal's knockout fixtures at the World Cup by former coach Fernando Santos.

However upon being appointed, Martinez made it clear that he wanted to assess Ronaldo based on what he could bring on the pitch.

He said at the time: "Football decisions have to be taken on the field of play. I'm not an office decision-making coach. So my starting point is to get to all the players and I want to get in touch with them.

"The list of 26 players from the World Cup is my starting point and Cristiano is a player on that list, he has been with the national team for 19 years and he deserves the respect of being able to sit down and talk.

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"From there it is to create, in ten weeks, the best team for our matches, for the qualification for the European Championship. Today is a day of satisfaction. Tomorrow we will start working, getting to know all the players and Cristiano is one of them."

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Those decisions have now been made with the 38-year-old in line to add to his 196 caps for Portugal, with the hope of adding to his 118 goals simultaneously.

Explaining his decision to include Ronaldo, Martinez said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a very committed player.

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"He can bring experience and is a very important figure for the team. I don't look at age."

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