Jackson Martínez: “I’d say Rafael Leão can do much more” | OneFootball

Jackson Martínez stood out while playing for FC Porto and still has a home in Invicta, splitting his time between Colombia and Portugal. Speaking to O JOGO, the former striker talked about tonight’s big clash, revisiting the emotions of a nation that got carried away in 2014, when Cha Cha Cha was part of the delegation that travelled to Brazil, at a time when James Rodríguez was enjoying the best spell of his career and establishing himself as one of the standout stars of that World Cup.

The former Colombian striker, scorer of many goals for the Dragons and plagued by injuries throughout his career, has already drawn his conclusions from the opening matches and hopes his favorite national teams put on a good showing in this contest. “I watched both debuts. I don’t see Portugal’s draw as a failure; they were surprised by a physically strong opponent and a quick, intense team. Colombia also had to improve from the first game to the second, much more focused against Congo,” Jackson said, acknowledging Portugal’s “renewed confidence.” “There are no easy games, we have more unfamiliar national teams and that’s why it’s a competition that brings surprises. But I think Portugal and Colombia are now calmer and will both want to win this match. It will be interesting, because they are very technical teams that try to play well. Colombia will try to keep things balanced and Portugal will try to impose its game,” added Jackson, one of the stars of the coffee-growing nation’s national team in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil. He scored two goals in three matches. “That involves a lot of emotion, because I took part in this great tournament with my national team. I know I left a good impression, and I remember that moment with great gratitude. It was a shame about the match against Brazil. We were dreaming of more, just as now it is only right to dream of going further. We have the tools for a great game against Portugal, we’re going to enjoy it and hope for the best in whatever comes,” Cha Cha Cha Martínez said.

As for the strengths on each side, the former striker, now a musician linked to urban hip hop, highlighted several of Portugal’s strong points. “It’s a national team with great individual talent, which I appreciate a lot. Because of that, it has the ability to win the World Cup, but it needs more than talent, it needs a united and committed group,” he said, singling out one player in particular who has been used as a substitute. “I could talk a lot about Vitinha and Ronaldo, but I think Rafael Leão is someone who can help much more. It will depend on the moments when the coach feels like using him, but I really appreciate his qualities. He has everything it takes to make the difference,” Jackson said, also offering other views. “Bruno Fernandes is another leader. Portugal has players who want the ball, who take center stage and don’t hide. Nuno Mendes is a very important full-back, but now I’m getting into personal preferences.”

“James and Cristiano Ronaldo give everything for their national teams”

Taking a closer look, Jackson analyzed the roles of James, his teammate at the 2014 World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo, idols in their respective countries but also targets of criticism. “I can’t comment on their status as unquestionable starters. James has shown, even in his worst physical moments, a high level of commitment to the national team. He is a tireless competitor with a winning mentality. He will continue to give a lot to Colombia. The importance of James and Ronaldo on the pitch tells us that they are players who can make a difference,” he stressed, believing that the rest depends on the internal dynamic, which can either raise them up or not as central pieces. “I know they also attract criticism, but the proof is in what they do, how they play and the image they give of giving everything for their national teams,” he praised.

Pure euphoria in Colombia

On the atmosphere in Colombia with the World Cup being played in the United States and with a match of this size in Miami, where the community has a stronger presence and finds a sense of belonging far from home, Jackson explained what he expects to see in Portugal. “In our country, when the national team plays, everyone wears the shirt, they go to work wrapped in it, they wake up like that. If someone from outside arrived not knowing there was a game on, they would wonder what was happening. For me it was hard to take in that difference in Portugal, where people do try to make time to watch the game at home, but without wearing the shirt in the same way,” explained the former Porto goal scorer, describing “pure euphoria” around this edition of the World Cup.

“The Colombian people truly started believing again because of what they saw in 2014. And now they believe they can go even further than we did. Miami reinforces that feeling even more; the Latin communities support their national teams,” he said, also revealing conversations with Portuguese friends. “They know it will be very difficult, but they got more excited after this 5-0. There will be respect, but Colombia will not sit back and wait, unless Portugal forces them to with intensity and possession of the ball. But deep down, they know our dangers and they also know we have technical players, with Luis Díaz now established as a world-class figure.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.