“Ronaldo is on form now” — Turkiye defender raises alarm

Turkish defender Merih Demiral has issued a stern warning to his teammates regarding the formidable threat posed by veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The warning comes ahead of Turkey’s crucial Euro 2024 encounter against Portugal on Saturday.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Demiral highlighted Ronaldo’s exceptional current form. The 39-year-old forward, who has enjoyed illustrious stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, continues to perform at an elite level, according to Demiral.

“Ronaldo’s level is very good right now. He was in a very good condition when we played against each other in Saudi Arabia. He is a football player who loves to work and sets an example for everyone. We need to be very careful as a defence,” Demiral stated (via @TimelineCR7 on X).

Demiral’s comments underscore the significant challenge facing Turkey’s defense. Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a potent attacking force, renowned for his relentless work ethic and scoring prowess.

Turkey enters the match with confidence, having secured a 3-1 victory over Georgia in their first game. Portugal, meanwhile, edged out Czechia 2-1 in their opener, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.

The former Juventus centre-back’s cautionary words serve as a rallying cry for his team to maintain a vigilant and disciplined defensive stance against one of football’s most prolific goal scorers. The outcome of this match could be pivotal in determining the progression of both teams in the tournament.