Countdown To UEFA Euro 2012: ‘Three Lions ‘ll Roar Again’

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo considers England a contender for Euro 2012 but questioned their decision to leave out Rio Ferdinand from the squad.

England, like Portugal, have never won the European Championships and are not rated as favourites to win next month’s competition – even by the UK’s football media machine.

However, Ronaldo believes The Three Lions will be tough opposition for any team this summer despite their recent change in leadership which saw West Brom manager Roy Hodgson succeed Fabio Capello at the helm as well as recent set-backs at the FIFA World Cup.

“I always expect England to win a big tournament,” Ronaldo said in The Sun.

“England have some of the best players in the world and are always tough opponents for any team.

“I hope England do well in the Euros because I have a lot of friends there. It is a country I like a lot.

“I expect big things for England, the new coach and the country.”

A new England era under Hodgson begins with Saturday’s Euro 2012 warm-up friendly against Norway. Hodgson has a solid CV in football management although it is not quite as impressive as predecessor Capello’s record in the game.

“I don’t know him [Hodgson] very well but to be coach of a national team you have to be good,” Ronaldo said.

“Let’s see what England do in the Euros. Their chances of winning are still the same. England have fantastic players but now, with a new coach, it would be amazing.”

The Real Madrid and Portugal star did have one word of warning for England. The former Manchester United player is adamant that Hodgson has made a mistake in not making ex-United team-mate Rio Ferdinand a part of his sqaud.

“Rio is the best centre-back in England and still one of the best in the world,” he said.

“I don’t understand why he is not in the national team.

“Maybe the coach has justifications and we have to respect those.

“But I have to be honest, I love Rio.

“He’s a great player, great man and he should be in the national team because he would help England do

well… maybe to win the tournament.”

Ronaldo will do well to lead his own country Portugal past the group stages of this summer’s European Championships. They have been drawn in the Group of Death alongside Holland, Germany and Denmark.