Roberto Martinez’s telling statistics about Portugal
Portugal just had a 5-2 victory over Sweden in an international friendly on FIFA Days in March 2024. The 5 goals of European Selecao reflect a sublimated and explosive attack, in the context of Roberto Martinez’s team really playing effectively.
According to statistics from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Portugal is an invincible team. They played 11 matches under coach Martinez, with a record of 11 wins and 9 clean sheets. Portugal’s attackers scored 41 goals (an efficiency of more than 3.7 goals/match) and conceded only 4 times. With what has been shown, it can be said that the former captain of the Belgian team has brought a new breeze to Portugal.
With a squad that harmonizes the experience of veterans and the explosiveness of many young talents, coach Martinez is doing his job very well. The proof is that in the recent match against Sweden, even without No. 1 star Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal still easily scored many goals against Sweden even though this was just a friendly match that was not too important.
Cristiano Ronaldo can achieve his World Cup dream
Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the national team this time, but there is no doubt that CR7 is still the number 1 star of Selecao Europe, heading to the EURO 2024 campaign and beyond to the 2026 World Cup. 8 years ago , Ronaldo and his teammates won EURO 2016 and this achievement is expected to be repeated at EURO this summer.
However, for Ronaldo personally, the 2026 World Cup is the festival that the 39-year-old striker desperately desires. By the time the World Cup took place two years later, CR7 was over 41 years old and certainly not in good physical condition to compete regularly. But looking at the example of his teammates, for example Pepe, Ronaldo can be confident that he will still aim for at least one more national team title before retiring.
Lionel Messi has won the Copa America and most recently the 2022 World Cup. While Cristiano Ronaldo just won EURO 2016, there is still an unfinished World Cup title ahead. Winning all the top titles at the club and individual levels, winning the World Cup is definitely Ronaldo’s most beautiful farewell to the national team, and possibly the world of soccer.
In the current scenario, coach Roberto Martinez is doing his job very well. He harnessed the collective power and helped each individual of Portugal shine brightly. The Portuguese now do not need Ronaldo to still win big against their opponents, this is a very good sign.
At least, Ronaldo could dream of winning the World Cup. As long as Portugal’s current form and image are maintained and will improve even more in the next 2 years. With Roberto Martinez, can Cristiano Ronaldo win the 2026 World Cup? Let’s wait and see!
* The article represents the reader’s personal opinion.
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