Cristiano Ronaldo did not utter a word in public about Portugal versus Spain on Tuesday, but he was mentioned in virtually every utterance about Wednesday’s Euro 2012 semi-final in Donetsk.

• Sergio Ramos:
  “They’re all hard opponents. But Ronaldo is a player who makes the difference at world level.
  He has carried Portugal on his shoulders in their last two games and he will be very difficult to stop.”
• Del Bosque:
  “It’s logical that there is so much talk about Ronaldo.
  He is not only a great player, but he plays in Spain, so that’s obviously a factor. We have to deactivate him.
  Ronaldo is very important and very impressive for them, but we will not change our style for an individual opponent. We will play the way we play, just as we always do.”
• Alvaro Arbeloa:
  "I will probably speak with him when I see him.
  If I’m lucky, the coach will put me alongside him. He is very demanding to play against, but I am confident I can do well.
  You have to be prepared mentally and physically when you play against someone like Ronaldo. He’s one of the best players there is.
  But I like to measure myself against the best in the world and it’s a great challenge for me.”
• Paulo Bento:
  "If it was 95 per cent until now (Ukranian women cheering for Cristiano), I think Cristiano can win the last five per cent of women if he inspires us to victory.”
  (I didn’t know that Bento can be so witty)

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