Portugal striker Silvestre Varela has launched a staunch defence of his captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid star backed to lead his country to glory at Euro 2012
Portugal striker Silvestre Varela has launched a staunch defence of his captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid forward has so far failed to reproduce the scintillating form in Poland and Ukraine that he showed last term in La Liga where he notched 46 goals.
Varela was the hero for Portugal on Wednesday when he scored a last-minute winner to beat Denmark 3-2.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo's input in that game was again heavily scrutinised by the media who asked Varela for his opinion, but he refused to comment on the contrasting form of his skipper at club and international level.
"One thing has nothing to do with the other," he said.
"Football is a team game. When the team is playing well, then all the players are also doing well and Ronaldo has nothing to prove to anyone."
Sacrifices
Ronaldo has yet to score in the tournament or demonstrate the kind of ability that sees him feted as one of the best players on the planet.
Yet, Varela insists their maverick will soon find his magic touch.
He added: "Ronaldo has been doing well for us. He's an excellent player and captain. We are all ready to make sacrifices for Portugal."
