Portuguese coach Roberto Martínez said on Monday that footballer João Mário’s decision to leave the Portuguese national team must be “respected” and suggested that the Benfica player has a guaranteed place in the squad.
“We have to respect Joao Mario. He is a player of exemplary professionalism with a very positive character in the group. This is a personal decision. We must respect and preserve the memory. He is the European champion,” said Roberto Martinez. , at the press release conference of the national team for the matches against Bosnia and Iceland, qualifying for Euro 2024.
On Sunday, the day before the Spanish manager announced the choice for the next Group J games, 30-year-old Joao Mario announced his retirement from the national team, hours after becoming national champions with Benfica.
“There is no conflict. The March internship went well, with a positive atmosphere. I don’t think it’s a negative situation, it’s a natural situation that comes from a personal decision. Joao was about to be called up, but he called the leadership of the Portuguese Football Federation announcing his decision. He hasn’t talked to me yet, but I will talk to him,” the 49-year-old coach said.
As for the possible departure of more players, Martinez was unconcerned and confirmed that João Mario’s decision was “personal”.
“There are no problems with the choice. The departure of João Mario was his decision and his alone. We must respect him,” he said.
Portugal will host Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 17th at the Lush Stadium in Lisbon at 19:45 and travel to Iceland to face the local team three days later at the Laugardalsvellur Stadium in Reykjavik at 19:45 (Lisbon). time).
Early in qualifying, in two games that marked Martínez’s all-time debut at the helm, Portugal beat Liechtenstein 4-0 at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon and traveled to Luxembourg to score 6-0.
Team quinas lead Group J with six points, followed by Slovakia with four points and Bosnia and Iceland with three points. Luxembourg with one point and Liechtenstein without points are in last place.
Only the top two players in the group qualify for the Euro 2024 final.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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