In an interview with Antena 1, Roberto Martínez highlighted the importance of these two players in the dressing room of the national team and was very pleased with Ronaldo's displays in the first qualifying games for Euro 2024.

"Ronaldo is an important person in the dressing room and can make a difference on the pitch. It is a unique experience. There is no other player in the world of football like him. I have to make decisions and when that happens, sports performance will always be the main thing. Ronaldo did very well and played an important role in the March games," said the Spanish coach.

That month, at the start of Group J of qualification for the next European Championship, Portugal beat Liechtenstein, 4-0, with two goals from Ronaldo and, a few days later, the 38-year-old returned to 'bisar' in Luxembourg (6-0).

Pepe, 40, missed both meetings due to injury, but everything points to him being back in Roberto Martinez's options in June, when Portugal hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina and travels to Iceland.

"Age is a number, it's not a deciding factor. The important thing is to play at a good level, with intensity, and Pepe plays like that. He's having a fantastic season. It's at its best. And in addition, he has a great influence on the younger players of the national team, "said the national coach.

In Portugal since January, Martínez highlighted the quality of the I Liga and, above all, the "competitiveness" of the Portuguese player.

"All the players want to win and they show that on the pitch. Therefore, any player who goes to other championships after passing through Portugal will be very well prepared. He's ready to play at the highest level," he said.

In the same interview, Martínez reinforced the goal of making Portugal a more offensive team, but also "flexible" in the way they act.