João Cancelo pays tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo

João Cancelo came to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defense. With Portugal having just secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals, uncertainty remains over the future of its captain with the national team. For Cancelo, Ronaldo’s importance in the history of Portuguese football is beyond doubt.

“He is a symbol of our national team”

Speaking to Record, João Cancelo emphasized Cristiano Ronaldo’s status within the Portuguese national team. The full-back believes the situation will be resolved by head coach Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença:

Cristiano is our captain, he is a symbol of our national team, he is the best player Portugal has ever produced, and everything will certainly end in the best possible way.

Cristiano Ronaldo started the first match of the international window before remaining on the bench for the following game. He then left the squad prematurely. Jorge Jesus had referred to a misunderstanding and assured that the forward remained welcome in the national team.

Cancelo wants to focus above all on Portugal’s performance

Despite the discussions surrounding Ronaldo, Cancelo prefers to focus on Portugal’s sporting record. The Portuguese national team won all four of its group-stage matches and consequently secured qualification for the quarter-finals. “The most important thing here is the four victories,” said the FC Barcelona player, who also praised the work carried out by the entire squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003. Since then, he has become the most-capped player in the history of the national team and its top scorer. A European champion and a two-time Nations League winner with Portugal, Ronaldo thus remains the center of attention at every international fixture.

Aliou Toundé |

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