"There is no other player who can bring to the dressing room what CR7 can"

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez assured that "there is no other player who can bring to a dressing room what Cristiano does", in whom he trusts for Euro 2024 in Germany.

"He is an incredible goalscorer, this is his sixth tournament and he is the only player with five European Championships as well," the Spanish coach recalled at the press conference ahead of the match between Portugal and Croatia tomorrow. After a week's holiday following club commitments in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruben Neves joined the Portugal training camp on Friday.

However, according to Martinez, Ronaldo, Ruben Neves and Pepe, who is struggling with injuries, will not play against Croatia, although they will be available for the last friendly before the European Championship, which will be played in Aveiro (Portugal) against Ireland on 11 June.

For the Portuguese coach, Croatia are "a different opponent" who base their game on possession. "We have to adapt and control the game", as well as "defend well without the ball", said Roberto Martinez.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, described the game as "an important match, but not the most important". "The important thing is to prepare some things that haven't gone so well in the last few games (...) so that we can correct them and get to the European Championship in the best possible shape," he told a press conference.

Portugal began their preparations for the European Championship last Tuesday with a 4-2 win over Finland, and after Croatia they will face Ireland on 11 November in Aveiro (central Portugal). In Germany, Roberto Martinez's side will be drawn in Group F alongside Turkey, Czech Republic and Georgia.