Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has revealed why he did not remove Cristiano Ronaldo from the Portuguese national team.
Former coach Wigan became coach of Portugal after being sacked by Belgium following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Portugal also sacked Fernando Santos after losing to Morocco in the round of 16.
Martinez decided to keep Ronaldo, who had been at odds with his former coach, Santos, as Portugal captain.
Appearing on talkSPORT on Wednesday, the former Everton manager explained his decision to keep the 38-year-old. Spaniard says:
“The starting point is, how do you make these decisions? At that time, I understood that there were a lot of emotions going to the World Cup with the national team.
“I was appointed on January 9 and I have six weeks to start with meeting all the players on this list of 26 players in Qatar.
"As for Cristiano, he's not ready to leave, and then you can make football decisions. He's scored four goals, he's a real leader, a captain and a man. offers an experience no other player has in world football that should be used in your dressing room.
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Liverpool are looking to close the deal for Alexis Mac Allister and it will actually be a bit cheaper than expected.
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will cost Liverpool just under £70m expected.
That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims Liverpool plan to move forward with the Mac Allister deal this week.
Romano claims Liverpool want to finalize terms on Mac Allister's side this week with personal terms almost sorted.
Liverpool would then pay Mac Allister's release clause to lure him to Anfield. Romano later added that the release clause was actually lower than the widely reported £70m.
Mac Allister's hometown TyC has reported that Liverpool are paying around £70m, but Romano believes the deal will be a bit cheaper.
We can still imagine Liverpool would have to pay at least £60m for Mac Allister, but they would consider it well-spent.
Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Alexis Mac Allister could start Liverpool's midfield revolution
Changes have come to Liverpool's midfield.
James Milner is leaving - ironically to Brighton and Hove Albion - while Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are leaving on free form. Bridges are being cleared at Anfield and Mac Allister will be the first addition to midfield.
Hailed as "incredible" by Brighton's Adam Lallana, Mac Allister will deliver real quality and deft tackles in Liverpool's engine room.
The Argentinian World Cup winner will be joined by other new faces and Liverpool are really ramping up their recruitment efforts.
Sport Bild's Christian Falk reported on Tuesday night that Liverpool have begun talks to sign Borussia Monchengladbach ace Manu Kone.
For now, the Frenchman seems to be the top target and could be joined by a longtime friend. 90Min claim that Liverpool have also entered talks to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, who has come a long way with Kone during their Boulogne-Billancourt days.
Thuram, Kone and Mac Allister could be Liverpool's new midfielders next season, with the Red Devils looking to leave now.
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