Portugal defender Ruben Dias has stated the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the team can aid them to great things ahead of their Euro 2024 opener against Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Portugal lifted Europe’s biggest international prize in 2016 and are led and captained by Ronaldo – who is set to play in his record-extending sixth European Championship.
The 39-year-old is the highest goalscorer in men’s international football with 130 goals and is also the all-time top scorer in the tournament with 14 strikes — with France’s Michel Platini in second after registering nine goals.
The Manchester City centre-back said in a news conference: “I would say he represents inspiration, he represents that anything is possible, he represents all that you can dream, and achieve it.
“Mainly I would like to say it’s a pleasure to have him with us.
“More than all these little things or big things, him being with us in this moment of his career represents that he wants to win again.
“He’s our captain and obviously we follow him to the end.”
A goal for Ronaldo in this summer’s edition will see him break the record as the tournament’s oldest goalscorer, breaking a record set in Euro 2008 by Austria’s Ivica Vastic aged 38.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez also added Ronaldo’s experience could be vital at the tournament, alongside legendary 41-year-old centre-back, Pepe.
“[Ronaldo] is very important… at tournaments, Euros and World Cups, the key is a mix of experience and new talent,” Martinez said.
“Our team does it perfectly – you mentioned Cristiano, and him and Pepe bring experience nobody else has, they are the two oldest players at the tournament.
“Then we have [the young players too]… we need all of this, they all need to be linked together, committed, that is crucial for us.”
