Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes Roy Hodgson’s England will be a considerable force to contend with at Euro 2012 this summer.
At their last major tournament, England failed to make a great impact as they crashed out to Germany in the first knockout round of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, but after missing out on the last European Championships, Ronaldo believes they will be stronger this time around.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is being tipped to shine for England at Euro 2012 |
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The former Manchester United winger is certain the Three Lions will be among the teams vying to leave Poland and Ukraine with the title, claiming they have one of the best teams in the world.
Speaking at a Castrol event which Goal.com attended, Ronaldo said: “The chances are always the same. England has fantastic players, now a new coach, it will be amazing.
“I always expect England to win a big tournament. England is always there because always has one of the best teams in the world. They will be top.”
Hodgson was unveiled as the nation’s new coach in early May following the resignation of Fabio Capello in February, and although Ronaldo admits he doesn’t know a great deal about the former Liverpool boss, he hopes he does well.
He continued: “I don’t know him very well. But to be in the England national team has to be good, so let’s watch what England can do in the Euros.
“I hope he’ll do well. I have a lot of fans there, and it’s a country I like a lot. I wish the best for England, for the coach, the players and the country.”
During the group stages, Ronaldo and his Portuguese team-mates will be facing Germany, the nation who knocked them out at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2008, but the 27-year-old insists revenge is not on his agenda.
“No, I don’t think so [revenge not on his mind]. I don’t believe in revenge,” he remarked.
“It will be interesting because we had difficult times against them and it will be difficult. But things change, and I hope in these Euros we could change that mark and win the Germany team.