Bruno Fernandes Acknowledges the Importance of Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal

• Bruno Fernandes feels the experience of veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo is important for the Portugal national team
• The 39-year-old has been named as captain and is making his sixth appearance for Portugal in the European Championship
• Ronaldo played the entire game as Portugal fought from a goal down to earn a deserved 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic

Cristiano Ronaldo did not mark his record-breaking appearance for Portugal in the 2024 European Championship with a goal but his influence in the team cannot be over-emphasised.

The 39-year-old forward was named in the starting XI by Roberto Martinez against Czechia on June 18 but it was 18-year-old Francisco Conceicao who stole the headlines after grabbing a late winner for the Selecao.

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According to the BBC, Ronaldo, who is making his sixth appearance at Europe’s biggest international football competition, was twice denied in the first half by Czech goalkeeper, Jindrich Stanek, before seeing a header deflected wide after the break.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward also had a free kick saved by Stanek but remained a threat in attack all through the encounter as Portugal dug deep to earn their first win.

Ronaldo is hoping to win the competition for the second time after leading his nation to the title in 2016.

Ronaldo experience important for Portugal

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has outlined the importance of Ronaldo in Portugal’s team at Euro 2024 after they secured their first win of the competition against Czechia.

The Manchester United midfielder disclosed that the 39-year-old forward’s experience outweighed the need for him to be scoring goals, as they push for another major title.

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It is unclear what the future holds for Ronaldo and the Portugal national team after Euro 2024, but the Al-Nassr star had previously voiced his desire to keep playing until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo is Portugal’s weakest link

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Czech Republic legend, Karel Poborsky, has controversially stated that Ronaldo is one of Portugal's weakest players in the side.

The 39-year-old, who made a historic sixth appearance at the Euros, started for the Selecao against Czechia in their opening Group F match on Tuesday, June 18.

Despite his age, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations, entering the tournament in exceptional form with 44 goals in 45 games for Al-Nassr across all competitions.