Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend, an almost untouchable icon in Portugal who will undoubtedly face the French team on Friday evening in Hamburg, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. A starter in each of the Selecçao’s three group matches, and again in the round of 16 against Slovenia, the 39-year-old veteran remains essential in the mind of coach Roberto Martinez.
Yes, but CR7 is broken down. Like Olivier Giroud during the victorious World Cup in 2018. Despite the confidence of his coach and teammates, the man who in Saudi Arabia this season has scored no fewer than 44 goals in 45 outings in all competitions has not yet found the fault in this Euro, even missing a penalty that could have cost the Portuguese dearly in extra time of their round of 16 match.
Martinez guilty?
It’s quite simple, with 20 shots on the clock, 8 of which were on target, Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest loser in the competition – in the standards of his compatriot Deco, who at Euro 2004 had 24 attempts without scoring, which earned him the mockery of the small world of football. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, still very respected, is not there; but in the Portuguese ranks included, Martinez’s determination to keep him at the forefront at all costs is intriguing.
During the 2022 World Cup, Fernando Santos did not hesitate to do without Ronaldo, in favor of the young Gonçalo Ramos in particular. First of all, I think Cristiano is a constant example for us, Roberto Martinez persists.
When you see that he is the only player to have played in the Euro six times, and that he has this responsibility, this desire, this conviction of a young man, his emotions are incredible for someone who has won everything and experienced everything. He does not need to carry so many things. » In other words, release the pressure, and the goal scorer will resurface.
