The Portugal national team manager Paulo Bento has said that he did not expect a lot of fireworks from the Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo in the match between Portugal and northern Ireland recently. Cristiano Ronaldo was playing in his 100th match for the national team and many suggested that it would bring out the best in the Real Madrid attacker. However, the 27-year-old was largely subdued for most of the match and the manager has said that he is not surprised. He has said that expectations are always huge on the Real Madrid striker that people expect him to perform in almost every match.

He has said that Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the best players for the Portuguese national team since making his debut nine years ago in 2003. He could well become the best player for the national team ever by the time he retires according to Paulo Bento. Unlike other Portuguese players, Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to lift the FIFA World Cup or the European championships with the national team. Portugal came extremely close to winning the Euro 2004 until they were defeated by an unlikely opponent in the form of Greece. Bento has said that they will be looking to integrate Cristiano Ronaldo in order to get the best out of him.

“We all know Cristiano had an injury coming to us but he is fit to play. I do not expect anything different from him because of the fact he is getting his 100th cap. I know that is a figure very few players will reach but I don’t foresee anything special because of that reason. What I expect from him is to integrate into the structure we have got and to show all of his ability and quality in the match,” said Bento.