PORTUGAL boss Roberto Martinez has revealed he was “surprised” by the humility and desire Cristiano Ronaldo showed during his first meeting with the superstar forward.
Ex-Belgium boss Martinez, 50, took over from Fernando Santos in January following the country’s World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco.
Ronaldo, 38, looked to have played his last major tournament after failing to lead Portugal to glory at his fifth World Cup.
But he has now stated his desire to feature at next year’s Euros after scoring nine goals in seven games under Martinez.
And the former Wigan and Everton head coach has admitted he was shocked by Ronaldo’s attitude when he first talked with the Real Madrid legend in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to El Larguero on Cadena SER about his captain, Martinez said: “I had never liked choosing names or being in a squad without having met the person behind the footballer.
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“I tried to get to know everyone who was on the World Cup list and, when I met Cristiano, I found he was a player who was predisposed to continue giving everything for the national team.
“I saw a person who wanted to be very committed and who is, in some way, at the service of the team.
“Something that doesn’t have to be like that, a player like Cristiano, who has achieved everything…
“The truth is that I was very surprised that he had that humility and that desire to serve the group.
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“That was the starting point and the foundations of all the players who have entered this locker room.”
Portugal booked their place at Euro 2024 with a 5-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Monday, with Ronaldo netting twice.
Ronaldo has scored a record 127 international goals in 203 appearances for Portugal.
He helped his side win the Euros in 2016 and has an impressive record in major tournaments – 22 goals in 47 matches.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
