08 June 2024 , 20:38
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Jose Mourinho expects Cristiano Ronaldo to have a significant role for Portugal in EURO 2024 this summer, despite his age.
The Al-Nassr striker has enjoyed his highest scoring season since 2015/16 on his way to racking up 50 goals in 51 appearances. At 39 years old, Ronaldo has already notched 128 goals for his national team and is preparing to compete in his 11th tournament.
Roberto Martinez's squad for this summer's competition includes two players who were not born when Ronaldo made his debut. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is not the oldest player in contention to feature however. Defender Pepe takes that accolade at 41.
Mourinho has no doubts that Ronaldo will play a pivotal role. Even with competition from the likes of Liverpool's Diogo Jota, PSG forward Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix, the newly-appointed Fenerbahce boss believes Ronaldo will be managed to have an impact.
"The coach knows," said Mourinho. "Cristiano is the one who knows how he feels, what his goals are, how the coach wants to use him, whether to play every minute of every game or protect him in key moments.
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"But there’s a lot that goes on inside that gets between them. He has a lot of influence and he will score his goals.
"I don’t believe he will leave the European Championship without goals."
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has a delicate balancing act to perform at Euro 2024Mourinho also gave his verdict on who could come away victorious this summer. The 61-year-old believes Portugal are among the chief contenders
"I think practically everyone thinks like me," he said. "Portugal, England, France, below them are Germany and Spain."
The ex-Chelsea boss' predicted teams have not had the smoothest of weeks. Portugal lost 2-1 to regular contenders Croatia in a friendly on Saturday evening, while England suffered defeat to Iceland in their final friendly before the tournament.
Germany squeaked past Greece with an 89th-minute winner from Pascal Gross in a 2-1 win. Spain and France should have an easier time against Northern Ireland and Canada respectively in their final games before the tournament begins on Friday.
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