Jose Mourinho insists Cristiano Ronaldo will play a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign and believes Italy ‘do not have enough talent’ to retain the trophy.
Ronaldo is preparing to play in his 11th major tournament for Portugal having first featured for his national side at Euro 2004.
The 39-year-old has just finished his first full season in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 50 goals in 51 appearances for Al-Nassr.
But Ronaldo faces strong competition for a starting place in Portugal’s attack for Euro 2024 alongside Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix, who has just spent the season on loan at Barcelona.
When asked about Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s side for Euro 2024, Mourinho told RTP: ‘The coach knows.
‘Cristiano is the one who knows how he feels, what his goals are, how the coach wants to use him, whether to play every minute of every game or protect him in key moments.
‘But there’s a lot that goes on inside that gets between them. He has a lot of influence and he will score his goals.
‘I don’t believe he will leave the European Championship without goals.’
Mourinho also reiterated that he considers Portugal one of the favourites to win the tournament.
‘I think practically everyone thinks like me,’ he said.
‘Portugal, England, France, below them are Germany and Spain.’
PORTUGAL AT EURO 2024
Portugal vs Czech Republic – June 18
Turkey vs Portugal – June 22
Georgia vs Portugal – June 26
However, Mourinho was more dismissive of Italy, who are in a tough Group B alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania.
‘I don’t believe it,’ Mourinho said.
‘It’s not a very talented generation. I can’t see enough talent to win, they won the last one, but I don’t believe in a second time.’
Mourinho also played down the significance of pre-tournament friendlies after England’s 1-0 defeat to Iceland on Friday night.
‘It depends on the way the coach looks at the game, the goals he will have.
‘England lost yesterday against Iceland at Wembley and the world didn’t end.
‘The moment of truth is there, it’s not an easy qualification or friendly games, it’s when things start to heat up.’
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