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Portugal are set to take on Denmark in the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Sunday, March 23. Ahead of the big clash at home, there were questions around Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the side, but since head coach Roberto Martinez hasn’t indicated anything to this regard, there is high possibility of him featuring in the final XI.
Notably, Portugal suffered a 0-1 defeat in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the hands of Denmark, due to a goal from Rasmus Hojlund, but it could have been worse if Christian Eriksen had converted a first half penalty. The first loss for Portugal since the Euros in 2024, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo performing far from his best, Roberto Martinez’s side have only one win in their last four matches.
If Portugal has to win and I don't play, I'll sign my name right now, tell the coach and I won't play: Cristiano Ronaldo
With Cristiano Ronaldo facing criticism around his presence in the Portugal lineup, he responded to the comments by stating that he won’t play if that helps the national team win against any and all comers. The 40-year-old was quoted as saying, as per Goal.com, “If I don't score and someone else scores, it's all the same to me. If Portugal has to win and I don't play, I'll sign my name right now, tell the coach and I won't play. I'll defend these colours until the death.”
Known as one of the greatest footballer players of all-time, Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about the chances of Portugal making a fist of things in the second leg of the UEFA Nations League against Denmark. He remarked, “We can't always play well, things don't work out sometimes. I've played 50 thousand bad games, and so have my team-mates. All of that is part of it, the past is the past, it's about uniting the troops and being positive.”
