Cristiano Ronaldo is very clear that his career is getting closer to the end. The Portuguese footballer is already 41 years old and is preparing to play in his last World Cup, however, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is clear that for now, CR7’s retirement is still a long way off.
Roberto Martinez has more than considered Ronaldo for the World Cup and hopes he can guide his team to win the top trophy. To do so, it is key to have CR7 at his best, something the coach assures will continue to happen, as he sees him in very good shape.
The Portugal coach predicts when Cristiano Ronaldo will retire
In an interview with the BBC, Roberto Martinez was asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation and the coach had nothing but praise for the former Real Madrid player.
“He is a true example of what you have to do to represent Portugal and the national team. And now he has adapted, obviously, after 21 years in the national team, he has adjusted,” Martinez explained.
Regarding Ronaldo’s retirement, the coach was very clear in pointing out that it is still a long way off.
Well, we have all the statistics. If you were to analyse a player who is physically declining, that would not be the case. His physical stats are those of a player who could go on and on and on. I think it’s more about when he feels it’s the right time
Martinez added that “I think he is a player who is very critical of himself. When he sees that he can no longer help the team, it will be he who decides when to leave.”
Roberto Martinez talks about criticism of continuing to call up Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Martinez sees CR7 as a player who can continue to contribute to the Portugal national team, he has received much criticism about the striker’s nomination due to his age. In response to the questions, the coach was very clear.
“He been a goalscorer, he’s an important player for us and, for me, the important thing is the player he is now. As a national coach, a player who has scored 25 goals in the last 30 international matches… it’s not that he plays for what he has done in the past, it’s for what he has done now,” Martinez said.
With the confidence of his coach at an all-time high, Cristiano is preparing to play in a new World Cup and hopes that this will be the moment to win it. Perhaps if that happens, CR7 will decide to retire with the only trophy he lacks.
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