‘His friends don’t focus on him anymore’ | Relief

Dusseldorf.- “His colleagues say that things are different now, that they can communicate with him much better.Who is closer during meals, during breaks, who is more sociable, charming person,” explain sources familiar with the dressing room of Portugal, which is preparing for its debut at the European Championships in Germany against Georgia this Tuesday. The main character of this story is Cristiano Ronaldowho at 39 years old continues to attract the masses despite the fact that he plays in a lower league like the Arab one and is no longer the striker who devours goals and the Ballon d’Or. But his aura remained the same. There was a frenzy at training last Saturday when several fans jumped onto the grass to take photos with him.

This happened in Harsewinkel, where these days the Portuguese national team is training for the premiere and where it has its headquarters. Cristiano’s change is a response to the maturation process in his life and career.

already a secret agreement with coach Roberto Martinez, who went to Arabia to meet with the captain and also agree on the basic rules of coexistence. Cristiano wants to continue playing football at the highest level and this Eurocup is not the last season. “He is a contender for the 2026 World Cup”explain the same sources.

One of the points in the Roberto Martinez tablea person who is an expert in selection and group cohesion, had to prohibit the stay of Cristiano Ronaldo’s entourage in the concentration hotel.. This is mainly based on Jose Semedo and Miguel Paixao, former colleagues of the Portuguese Ricardo Regufa, who handles matters for him at Nike and is now also his agent. They were always part of the meetings, accompanied the Portuguese star and even had their own rooms. Now the situation has changed. Cristiano is another member of the expedition, and the group appreciates this..

“Young players, when they join the national team, they see someone who is a person, player or idol they admire. His behavior is incredible and that is what we should appreciate in Portugal. If we have players like Pepe or Cristiano Ronaldo who set this example, pass on this example, they will make us better for future generations. That’s what Cristiano brings. He is a winner and his view of the game is unique.

” was Roberto Martinez’s message to UEFA in a recent interview with the idea of ​​using Cristiano Ronaldo as an example for the group of what “the search and obsession for perfection” is.

During his years at Real Madrid, Cristiano’s friends also went on trips and accompanied the footballer.but never, with the exception of some exceptional cases, did they stay in an official hotel, as if it had happened in Portugal, a situation with which Roberto Martinez broke with a contract until 2026, although in his contract there is an escape route from the Portuguese federation. if it doesn’t reach the semi-finals.

At least an hour with Cristiano, another point in the verbal “contract”.

Another issue was the role of the striker.. At 39, he is away from the most competitive football this season, although he retains his invisible training and his ambitions. The striker is no longer untouchable or irreplaceable.. And behind him appears 22-year-old Gonçalo Ramos from PSG, called to become the team’s number nine; or Joao Felix himself. For this reason, the idea is that Cristiano is the starting striker, but from the moment of the game, depending on the needs and the result, the coach can replace him.

In fact, in matches since then the arrival of Robert Martinez, in four of them the forward was not mentioned, was substituted in three others and played 90 minutes in seven others. He never came on as a substitute, which actually happened in the matches against Switzerland and Morocco at the last World Cup in Qatar. “Roberto is a straightforward person with common sense.

. “Sporting Lisbon had an excellent championship, but brought only one player, because they previously trusted others and were not going to debut at the gates of the Eurocup with new values,” the same sources add.

20 years after his first EuroCup, Cristiano will face his sixth. Strong words for a unique player who many teammates are discovering better.