Revealed: Will Roberto Martinez rest Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal's second Euro 2024 group game against Turkiye?

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has rubbished claims that he might rest Cristiano Ronaldo for their Euro 2024 clash with Turkiye.

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• Ronaldo plays vs Czech
• Martinez praises Ronaldo
• Set to start vs Turkiye?

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Martinez has highlighted how important Ronaldo is to the Portugal squad, despite being 39 years of age. The Al-Nassr forward played the full 90-minutes against Czechia on Tuesday as his side went on to score a late goal to win 2-1. Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet.

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  WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Speaking at a press conference ahead of the upcoming clash with Turkiye, Martinez said: "Do you know how many minutes Cristiano played last season? He has experience, there was no other player in the history of football with six European Championships played.

  "It is important to understand what a player brings. Cristiano brings experience, brings goal opportunities, a way of opening up spaces.

  "Cristiano is in the national team because he deserves to be here, just look at what he has done and what he has done in the last competitions."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo's role in the national team was called into question at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, after being dropped from the starting line-up with one goal in three group-stage games. His replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick when given the nod ahead of the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

  Whether or not Ronaldo will start against Turkey, remains to be seen. The two sides will meet at the Signal Induna Arena on Saturday after both winning their opening game of Group F.