Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot both sent out messages after Portugal comfortably defeated the Republic of Ireland ahead of Euro 2024.
Portugal are considered one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 in Germany this summer after an impressive run under manager Roberto Martinez.
Roberto Martinez replaced Fernando Santos as head coach in 2023 after Portugal crashed out of the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup at the hands of Morocco.
The Portugal boss led the country through an impressive Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which saw the Euro 2016 champions finish top of Group J.
Portugal were undefeated in Euro 2024 qualifiers and won all 10 of their matches, including scoring 36 times and only conceding twice under Martinez.
Martinez’s men punched their ticket to Euro 2024 in style and have been placed in Group F alongside the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey at the tournament.
Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign will officially begin on 18th June in their Group A opener against the Czech Republic at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
Man Utd star Dalot sends message
Portugal have impressed at times ahead of Euro 2024, with Roberto Martinez’s side winning two of their three international friendlies this month.
The Euro 2016 champions beat Finland 4-2 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade before Portugal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia.
However, Portugal rallied back from their loss to Croatia and secured a sensational 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.
Portugal wonderkid Joao Felix opened the scoring in the first half before Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning second-half brace against the Republic of Ireland.
Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were both in action for Portugal, with the Manchester United duo also named in their country’s Euro 2024 squad.
Dalot took to Instagram after the match and admitted that Portugal signed off their pre-Euro 2024 preparations with a positive result.
“Good send-off for Portugal with a win,” he wrote on the social media platform.
“We will fight for a nation. Thank you Portugal.”
Ronaldo reacts to Portugal win
Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th major international tournament for Portugal after he was named in Roberto Martinez’s Euro 2024 squad.
Martinez has refused to downplay the significance of the United legend in his squad and reiterated that Ronaldo is part of his plans going forward.
Ronaldo has not hinted he could retire from international duty after Euro 2024, with the Al Nassr star set to be 41 years old when the 2026 World Cup comes around.
The 39-year-old Portugal captain, much like Dalot, took to Instagram and was thrilled with the final result ahead of Euro 2024 starting this summer.
“Great win team! European bound!” Ronaldo wrote.