“It doesn’t matter” - Roberto Martinez on why Portugal star who felt ‘embarrassed’ by Cristiano Ronaldo didn't make debut vs Croatia

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has explained why Geovany Cuenda - who once felt 'embarassed to meet Cristiano Ronaldo - didn't start against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Monday (November 18).

With A Selecao having qualified for the quater-finals, Ronaldo was one of four key first-team players who returned to club duty ahead of the Croatia clash. Nevertheless, the visitors went ahead through Joao Felix's 33rd-minute strike before Croatia hit back through Josko Gvardiol midway through the second period in Split to book their last-eight berth.

While the 17-year Quenda was called up for the game, he didn't feature against Croatia. Explaining the same, Martinez hinted that the teenager isn't ready yet (as per OJogo):

"Quenda is not here to break records. He is here to be an important player for the national team. He is a different player. He will help a lot, and he is prepared to help. The most important thing is that he can stay in the national team for 100 or 150 games. It doesn't matter when he makes his debut."

Ronaldo and Co. ended their Nations League group-stage campaign with an unbeaten record, winning four of six games, with Ronaldo scoring in all four wins. The latest of them was a brace in a 5-1 mauling of Poland three days ago.

Martinez's side will learn their quarter-final opponents on Friday (November 22). The last-eight clashes will take place in March.

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What did Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo say about Geovany Cuenda?

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is a doyen of the game, having scored a record 910 goals in his illustrious career spanning more than two decades. It's expected that many young players in the Portugal team look up to the legend.

However, the 39-year-old said that many of them - including the 17-year-old Quenda - are shy to approach him. Describing himself as a brotherly rather than a fatherly figure in the team, Ronaldo said about his role in the team (as per GOAL)

“Many of them are embarrassed to talk to me! A little while ago I was going up to my room and I saw the new boy, 17 years old, Quenda. I went to him and said: 'So, have you recovered from the game?'.

"I saw that he was embarrassed. I don't say I'm a father, but an older brother. It could be a father to some and, as I said before, I've been through the same thing as them and the national team is a family."

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the midst of a solid season. He has 10 goals and three assists in 15 games across competitions for Al-Nassr and five goals and an assist in five matches for Portugal.