Denmark Boss Warns Portugal Will Face “Big Problem” When Cristiano Ronaldo Retires

Denmark coach Brian Riemer says Portugal will face a big problem when Cristiano Ronaldo eventually retires, as the 41-year-old holds the squad together more than people realise.

Riemer made the comments to TV2 ahead of Denmark's Nations League game against Portugal. Ronaldo still divides opinion, with some fans and pundits saying he should step aside, but Riemer thinks that kind of talk is disrespectful to a player of his stature.

"He is a player, I think, people underestimate. They underestimate the importance he has in that squad," Riemer said. "I believe that the day he stops with the national team, a big problem will arise in terms of the hierarchy. I think he holds it all together with a very, very tight thread, and one should not underestimate the significance of that."

Denmark full-back Joakim Maehle, who has faced Ronaldo four times, said the Al-Nassr forward changes how Portugal play. He pointed to Goncalo Ramos as a more energetic option who is harder to mark, but said Ronaldo's finishing is still a danger.

"Of course it's different when he plays. There can be advantages and disadvantages. He is probably a more stationary striker than Goncalo Ramos, who is a little more energetic and harder to cover," Maehle said. "But there is no doubt that with what he has shown before, you also know his qualities, and on a good day he can also score a hat-trick."

Ronaldo's own fitness is a bit of a question mark, though. A Bola reports he was an unused substitute in Portugal's win over Norway and has not trained normally with the group since the day before that game. He has reportedly been on individual programmes to manage his fitness instead.

He was seen briefly at the Eleda Stadion in Malmo before heading back to the team hotel. The Portuguese Football Federation said the stadium did not have the equipment needed for his recovery plan. There is no official word of an injury.

If he does play at Parken, Ronaldo will be keen to make his mark. He has faced Denmark nine times and scored four goals against them.