Portugal's national team coach, Roberto Martinez has praised Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that he feels privileged to coach him.
Martinez made this known at a news conference before his side takes on France in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 Championship currently held in Germany.
Nigerian journalist, Oma Akatugba had asked the former Everton manager how it feels to manage such a great player despite the controversies that have surrounded him.
"For me, every day seems a good day. Its significant to see a player that has won everything, a player that has a huge amount of records in terms of the number of games for the national teams, the number of goals, and the freshness that he brings is surprising," he said.
"So for us as a national team, he is an example. Someone that wants to win every day, someone that wants to compete every day. So when you get a player that committed, forgetting about what he has done in the past and that committed today, you will feel privileged."
Meanwhile, Ronaldo disclosed on Tuesday, July 2 that this year’s European Championship in Germany will be the last of his career.
Ronaldo, who is currently playing in his record-breaking sixth-career European Championship, confirmed what many have suspected as he opened up about his Euros future with Portugal.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” Ronaldo told Portugal TV’s RTP. “But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, 39, made his international debut with Portugal in 2003. The former Real Madrid striker won the European Championship in 2016, marking what is arguably Ronaldo’s most impressive career achievement at the international level.