WHAT HAPPENED?
The 2016 Euro Cup winners have already cemented their place at the top of their Nations League group with the 5-1 win over Poland on Friday. They will next face Croatia in their final group match on Monday. Ahead of the dead-rubber clash, manager Roberto Martinez has released four of his star players, Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.
THE EXPLANATION
While explaining his decision to let key players leave the squad midway into the international break, Martinez claimed that he wants to try out new players and give exposure to youngsters in their upcoming match. The news comes as a huge boost for Premier League giants Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, along with Al-Nassr who will now welcome their star performers back. While Silva, Neto and Ronaldo are being rested, Fernandes will primarily miss the game due to suspension which was slapped on him after picking up a yellow card against Poland.
WHAT ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAID
Speaking to reporters after the Poland clash, the former Everton boss said, “In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next. It’s important for us to be first, and we already are. We need to be competitive to add to the group, it’s getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There’s a World Cup finals in 18 months.
“The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players. We’re going to let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended. We’re going to call up Fábio Silva and Quenda for the Under-21s.”
WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?
The 39-year-old, who scored a brace in Friday’s win, will get a well-earned break before he returns to action for Al-Nassr against Al-Qadisiyah in the Saudi Pro League on November 22.