Portugal coach Fernando Santos has rejected ex-Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello's claim that Madrid's current poor form stemmed from fitness issues still being suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Portugal's World Cup 2018 qualifier at home to Andorra, Santos said: "I respect Capello a lot. But I would be more worried about these comments if they came from Zidane."
Madrid began the 2016-17 season with six straight wins in all competitions, but have drawn four consecutive games for the first time since 2006, leading coach Zinedine Zidane to deny the team was now in crisis.
Portugal captain Ronaldo, 31, began his preseason late after recovering from a knee injury picked up in the Euro 2016 final. He has started all four of the drawn games, scoring once.
Speaking on Spanish radio this week, veteran Italian coach Capello said that Ronaldo's knee was still an issue, causing him to miss chances, and that this was having a negative knock-on effect on Madrid's team performances.
Friday's clash with minnows Andorra in Aveiro will be Ronaldo's first game for Portugal since his Euro 2016 final ended early, as he was still recovering from the knee injury when they lost 2-0 in Switzerland in their first World Cup 2018 qualifier.
There was, however, no suggestion from Santos that the 31-year-old might sit out some international games to manage his total playing time over the course of the season.
"All teams are stronger with Cristiano Ronaldo because he is the best in the world," he said. "This opponent is an essentially defensive team. Portugal are favourites, but we will have to work a lot in the last third of the pitch and find a way to cause them problems. When you have the best player in the world, what do you think will happen?
"He is not just one more player, he is almost everything. We are not just thinking of his quality, he is a player who wants to win more and more. This national team is going to take further steps forward, and it is important to count on the player who has won most titles. He is an enormous boost for the national team."