Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez has reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic goalscoring record and his team’s dependence on the forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s late 88th-minute goal against Scotland in their Nations League clash on Sunday provided a thrilling end, as the Portuguese forward came off the bench at half-time to secure a 2-1 win for his team.
This goal marked Ronaldo’s 901st career goal and cemented Ronaldo’s position as the most prolific goalscorer in the world.
Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martinez, hailed Ronaldo as an “incredible player,” commending his historic goalscoring record and highlighting the importance of carefully managing his minutes on the field. He also acknowledged that Ronaldo who is now 39, cannot play back-to-back 90-minute games.
Martinez also praised Ronaldo’s intelligence and ability to create space, emphasizing his value to the team. Scotland had initially taken the lead in the 7th minute through Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, and Steve Clarke’s side performed well for much of the match.
However, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes equalized for Portugal in the 54th minute giving the Portugal team a lifeline in the UEFA Nations League.
Ronaldo who was introduced as a substitute at half-time, scored his 901st career goal just two minutes before the end of regular time.
Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a key figure for Portugal, with 134 goals and 213 caps for his national team. His current club, Al-Nassr, has seen him in excellent form, scoring four goals in four appearances this season.
After the match, Martinez reiterated Ronaldo’s impressive form but explained that his age requires careful management of his playing time, ensuring he is available to make a difference at the end of matches.
He also dismissed the idea that Portugal is overly dependent on Ronaldo, viewing him as an asset whose experience and skill remain vital, especially in critical moments of the game.
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