‘It will hurt but Ronaldo is strong enough’published at 19:12
Portugal v France (20:00 BST)
Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport in Berlin
Nani knows Cristiano Ronaldo well, having played with him at Manchester United as well with Portugal, and they were both part of the team that won Euro 2016.
He says the 39-year-old will use tonight’s match against France to silence any talk about whether Ronaldo warrants a place in the national side.
“He is a special player, a player who can create a lot of emotions,” said Nani, who was in Berlin on Friday.
“So it is normal when things are not going so well from his side – everyone is expecting him to score goals, that’s his job, he is a striker, so it can make him down a little bit.
“But I believe he is more confident for the next matches and tonight he can change all this energy.”
Nani also says Ronaldo won’t linger on his penalty miss against Slovenia in the last round.
“I believe he is strong enough with all his experience,” he added. “I would not say it didn’t take him a little bit down – yeah, for sure, he was thinking for two days – but for tonight he is already over it, that situation has passed so he is already excited for the match.
“We footballers are like that, he is just waiting for an opportunity to score or win the game and change the sensations, the feelings, the thoughts.
“When you lose a penalty, such an important penalty in that game, it will hurt you a little bit but it will not stay forever because we have another game to play. I believe tonight will change all the thoughts about Ronaldo.”
Image source, Getty Images