Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has revealed the telling message that Roberto Martinez sent about Cristiano Ronaldo after his exchange with the Portugal boss ahead of Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play at his 11th major international tournament after the Manchester United legend was named in Roberto Martinez’s Euro 2024 squad.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward retained Portugal’s captain’s armband under Martinez, who became head coach in 2023 after he replaced Fernando Santos.
Former Belgium boss Martinez had insisted ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany that Ronaldo remained a key part of his plans for Portugal.
Portugal punched their ticket to Euro 2024 in stunning fashion by winning all 10 of their qualifying matches, with Martinez’s side scoring 36 times and conceding twice.
Martinez’s men are considered one of the favourites to win Euro 2024, with Portugal placed in Group F for the tournament alongside the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey.
Evra on criticism Ronaldo receives
Cristiano Ronaldo signed off his latest season at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr by scoring 35 times in 31 appearances in the Saudi Pro League.
The former Manchester United superstar broke the Saudi Pro League scoring record in the 2023-24 season after he scored twice in Al Nassr’s 4-2 win against Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo, who has been with Al Nassr since 2023, eclipsed the feat that Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah had previously set in the 2018-19 season.
Speaking to SportsNow (via the Times Now), Patrice Evra insisted that the Al Nassr and Portugal captain’s critics “don’t want him to succeed” in his career.
Evra, who played alongside Ronaldo under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, added that he has never seen “someone working hard like” his former United teammate.
“This is Cristiano Ronaldo we’re talking about, the best player in the world, and I think people are jealous, a lot of people criticise Cristiano and they don’t want him to succeed,” he said.
“When he went to Saudi, they say, oh, it’s not a good league, when I talk with players they say it’s really difficult.
“They’re always talking about his age but trust me, Cristiano, I never saw someone working hard like him.
“I think not even 18- or 20-year-olds can do what Cristiano Ronaldo is doing.”
Evra on Martinez’s message about Ronaldo
Ronaldo, who previously lifted the Euro 2016 title with Portugal, will be keen to bolster his silverware haul by captaining his side to victory at Euro 2024.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has refused to rule out international retirement after Euro 2024, with Ronaldo widely tipped to play at the 2026 World Cup.
Evra revealed that he had spoken to Roberto Martinez in the past and the Portugal boss told him how much he admired United and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo.
“I talked to Martinez, the coach of Portugal, he said, ‘Patrice, I love him, I love him,’” he continued.
“He leads with example, that’s why it’s a big tournament for him, and he will prove a lot of people wrong.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/L28UPQw