Danilo: 'Portugal won not because Ronaldo was absent'

Danilo also said that Ronaldo would have been able to score or assist in the win over Luxembourg on the evening of September 11, if he had not been suspended. "Because Portugal is a team, and does not always focus on one individual," the 32-year-old midfielder added.

Ronaldo was suspended in the match against Luxembourg due to receiving three yellow cards in the previous five matches in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Striker Goncalo Ramos replaced him, scoring twice as the home team defeated the opponent ranked 89th in FIFA. This was the biggest win in the team's history, helping Portugal get one foot into the final round.

After the match, coach Roberto Martinez also said that he was preparing for a future without Ronaldo in Portugal. "Ramos has shown what he can do, and so has Diogo Jota," he said. "We need players who can decide the match, without having to compare each other with each other. Ronaldo is important but the team is ready to win without him."

With five goals, Ronaldo is ranked second in the qualifying top scorer race, behind three players with six goals including Romelu Lukaku, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund. During a press conference on September 6 in Portugal, the 38-year-old superstar said that he was still useful to the team, but would respect all decisions of coach Martinez.

Ronaldo started all five of Portugal's first official matches under Martinez, until being suspended yesterday. He had a conflict with former coach Fernando Santos, and had to be a substitute in both 2022 World Cup knockout rounds against Switzerland and Morocco.

Ronaldo still wants to join Portugal in the Euro 2024 finals, when he turns 39. If he does this, he will be the first player in history to appear in six Euro tournaments, and can improve his record. match or goal in the tournament.