Cristiano ronaldoโ no Longer Working with Portugal National Team
LISBON, Portugal – โขNovember 14, 2023 – Cristianoโ Ronaldo has been released from duties with theโค Portuguese national team following a reviewโ of roles within theโข squad, โขthe Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced today. The change impacts Ronaldo’sโค involvement inโ non-playing capacities, โspecifically related to teamโข organization โคand support, but does not affect his status as โa player for the national side.
the decision, made by newly appointed national teamโฃ coach Roberto Martรญnez, aims toโ streamline operations ahead โฃof the โฃUEFA โคEuropean Championship, scheduled to run from June 11th to July 19th, and involving 48 teams. While Ronaldo remains available for selection as โขa player, he will no longer contributeโค in roles concerning the team’s internal structure. This shift comes as Martรญnez seeks to establish his own leadership framework โฃand optimize the team’s readiness for the tournament.
Ronaldo,โฃ who has represented Portugal a record 205 times, previously heldโ an informal advisory role,โฃ offering inputโค on team โlogistics and player welfare. โThe FPF confirmed thatโ the change was a mutual decision reached after discussions betweenโ Martรญnez and Ronaldo.โ
“Roberto Martรญnez and Cristiano Ronaldo had a meeting โand agreed that, in this new stage, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be involved in the organizationalโข structure of the National Team,” the FPF stated. โข”This decision allows the coach to โfullyโฃ implement his vision for โthe team.”
The move follows a period of transition for theโข Portuguese national teamโค afterโ the departure of Fernando โSantos, who led the team to victory atโ the 2016 European Championship. Martรญnez, appointed in January 2023, is tasked โฃwith revitalizing theโข squad and building a competitiveโ team for the upcoming euro 2024 and โbeyond. Ronaldo, currently โplaying for Al-Nassr, continues to beโฃ a key โfigure on the field and is expected to beโฃ a central part of Martรญnez’s plans as a player.