Turkey vs Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo 'hasn't lost anything' despite questions over Euro 2024 impact

Merih Demiral has warned his Turkey team-mates that Cristiano Ronaldo is as dangerous as ever.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, whose side face the Turks tomorrow, is 39 and competing at his sixth Euros.

Demiral insists the striker remains a big threat after facing him in the Saudi Pro League last season. The centre-back turned out for Al-Ahli against Ronaldo’s side, Al Nassr.

“He is a very professional player, who sets an example for everyone,” said Demiral.

“He was in good shape when we played against each other in Saudi Arabia. He hasn’t lost anything. He is always very dangerous, a very big player.

“It is not easy to score this amount of goals at the age of 39. Of course, we need to be very careful as a defence.”

Portugal and Turkey won their opening games, with the latter top of Group F due to a superior goal difference.

Both sides can book a spot in the last-16 with a win, and Portugal forward Diogo Jota believes that could make for an open match.

“If we impose our game like we did against the Czech Republic, it could be better, because Turkey is not so used to defending in a low block,” he said.

“The first objective is to get through the group stage and we have the opportunity to do that.

“It could be decisive and we want it to go our way, but only by doing what we work on can we reach the game as best we can.”