Bernardo Silva has been named as Portugal’s best player despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s sustained prominence in the side.
Ronaldo’s 206 appearances for his country makes him their most capped player ever, and he is their all-time top scorer with 128 goals.
Despite being 39 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still an integral part of the national team.
However, whilst he is still regarded as one of the greatest players ever, his qualities may no longer be the best that Portugal has to offer.
Instead, it’s Manchester City star Silva who is seen as their best player, according to European football expert Andy Brassell.
Speaking on Kick Off about Portugal’s immense crop of talent, he said: “Roberto Martinez does have options.
“But because there’s so much quality in that Portuguese squad, I think people understand if he takes those options.
“I think Cristiano Ronaldo realises now that sometimes he’ll start, and sometimes he’ll be a squad player and that is just what he’s going to have to live with.
“It’s interesting because to even think about criticising Ronaldo two or three years ago would have been treated as complete heresy in Portugal.
“Whereas now, I think people understand that Bernardo Silva is their best player.”
Silva is a key player for both club and country, having won the treble with City and played at three major tournaments for Portugal.
The 29-year-old has scored 11 goals in 88 international appearances and started all-but one of their five matches at the 2022 World Cup.
In comparison, Ronaldo was named in the starting XI three times in Qatar, with former boss Fernando Santos dropping him for their win over Switzerland due to his behaviour.
He is one of a number of talented players available for selection, with Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos joining Silva as key attacking stars.
Martinez could be on hand to restore him as a key starter at Euro 2024, which could be the footballing icon’s last major tournament.
Ronaldo is set to travel to Germany with Portugal this summer for what will be his sixth appearance in the competition.
They will face Turkey, Georgia and the Czech Republic in Group F as they look to repeat their triumph in 2016.