Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva said on Friday that his team could handle any added pressure on them after Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement, speaking ahead of their first match without the superstar forward.
Jorge Jesus’ team host Denmark in Braga on Saturday in the Nations League, with a tribute planned for their all-time leading goal scorer.
Silva who plays in Real Madrid, takes over the captain’s armband from Ronaldo, acknowledging that the striker had been the main focus for much of the past two decades but backed the team to handle the pressure in the absence of the 41-year-old.
“Everyone knows the weight Cristiano carries. Most people went to the stadium to see Cristiano; many went just for him, and that’s not going to happen now,” Silva told reporters.
“The national team players are used to the spotlight, the pressure, and the responsibility, as well as being pointed at when things don’t go well, so that’s not an issue.”
Before the match against Denmark, Portugal will honor five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, and according to media reports, the squad will walk out wearing number seven jerseys, Ronaldo’s number.
It is unclear whether Ronaldo will be there, following his falling-out with veteran coach Jorge Jesus in September.
Last week, Ronaldo announced that he was ending his celebrated international career.
Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in 2003 and went on to earn a world-record 234 caps for his country, scoring 146 goals.
“Nobody can forget Cris’s 23 years in the national team and everything he did,” Jesus told reporters.
“I think (paying tribute) is a brilliant idea to continue to remind us that he is a legend of Portuguese football.”
Portugal have already secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, having won all four of their matches in Group A4.
