Euro 2024, which starts next Friday in Germany, could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s “last dance” with the Portugal team, which arrives at the tournament as one of the candidates for the title.
The 39-year-old star had lost his starting status at the 2022 World Cup and, in January 2023, transferred to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, which could mean the end of his elite football career.
But the arrival of Spanish coach Roberto Martínez gave CR7 a new boost with the selection. Their first European Championship, which Portugal played at home in 2004, ended in tears for the hosts, with a defeat in the final to Greece (1-0).
Cristiano, winner of five Ballon d’Ors, was also brought to tears when he was substituted due to injury in the Euro 2016 final, but the game against France in Paris had a happy ending for Portugal. And the number 7’s cry of sadness became one of joy with his country’s team’s first major title.
Close to turning 40, CR7 continues in good form, closing the season with the enviable record of 44 goals scored in 45 games across all competitions.
Tuning the last details 🔄🔋 #SharingThePassion pic.twitter.com/T57T7gpFwe
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 10, 2024
More and more records
The striker once again assumed the role of goalscorer for the Portugal team, which had a perfect campaign in the Euro Qualifiers, with ten wins in ten games, 36 goals scored (ten of them by CR7) and only two conceded.
And, for Cristiano, the top scorer in the history of the European Championship with 14 goals, the list of records keeps growing.
In addition to being the player with the most games (206) and goals (128) for a national team, the star will be making his sixth appearance at the Euros. Until now, he shared the record with Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
But, if Portugal is, in the eyes of some, one of the favorites for the title in the continental tournament, it is not just because of Cristiano Ronaldo.
In attack, the team has an arsenal of talents who play for major European clubs, such as João Félix (Barcelona), Rafael Leão (Milan), Diogo Jota (Liverpool) and Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain).
As for Cristiano Ronaldo being willing to give up his starting spot, as in the World Cup in Qatar, Roberto Martínez was cautious: “We have 23 outfield players and we create competitiveness. Then, the game decides”, said the coach in a press conference at last Friday.
“Very consistent” performance
“Cristiano is prepared to help the team and give everything. There is no other player in world football who can bring to the dressing room what Cristiano brings,” added Martínez, highlighting the number 7’s “experience” and “very consistent” performance. .
To take advantage of a week’s vacation, Cristiano Ronaldo only arrived at the Portuguese team’s camp last Friday and should only take the field in the last of the team’s three preparatory friendlies, on Tuesday, against Ireland, in Aveiro.
Without their captain, Portugal passed the first test with victory over Finland (4-2), but lost on Saturday to Luka Modric’s Croatia (2-1).
The team debuts in the European Championship on June 18th against the Czech Republic, before facing Turkey and Georgia, in Group F.
The last time they faced the Czechs at the Euros, in the 2012 quarter-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal for the Portuguese with a header (1-0).
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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