Ronaldo Confirmed For Landmark Euro Appearance Against Georgia

Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will start against Georgia in their final Euro 2024 group game, marking a significant milestone. Ronaldo is set to become the first European player to appear in 50 major tournament games. A start against Georgia will also bring his total caps at the Euros to 28.

The Selecao have already secured their place in the last 16 as Group F winners, following a 3-0 victory over Turkiye and a 2-1 win against Czechia. Despite this, Martinez has decided not to rest Ronaldo for the upcoming match. "I can say that the captain will be in the starting team. It's important," said Martinez.

Martinez highlighted Ronaldo's consistent season and extensive playing time at his club as reasons for keeping him in the lineup. "He only played one preparation match. His season was very consistent, and he has played every game, has had a lot of minutes at his club," Martinez noted. He added that maintaining competitive rhythm is crucial and stopping now would not be beneficial.

Portugal's preparation for the game aims for victory, with Martinez emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus. "We prepared the game to win. I believe the integrity of the tournament is essential," he stated. The result of this match will determine who qualifies, making it a critical encounter.

Martinez acknowledged Georgia's strong performance in the tournament, noting their near-win against Czechia and competitive play against Turkey. "Georgia had a very interesting European Championship, could have beaten Czech Republic in the last play of the match," he said. Portugal needs to maintain focus and aim for victory.

During Portugal's match against Turkiye, multiple pitch invaders attempted to get close to Ronaldo. While Ronaldo took a photo with one young fan, he appeared frustrated by the repeated interruptions. Martinez expressed concern over these incidents: "He's a very experienced player; he's been with the team for over 20 years."

Fan Support and Safety Concerns

Martinez emphasized that while fan support is appreciated, safety must come first. "He knows the kind of support fans provide, but not just Portugal fans, football fans," he said. He hopes there won't be any more pitch invasions as they pose dangers and are not part of what football should represent.

The upcoming match against Georgia holds significance beyond just qualification; it represents an opportunity for Ronaldo to make history once again on an international stage.