Euro 2024: Upcoming Continental Football Championship - Announcement to skeptics: Ronaldo is set for his milestone achievement.
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics. He fascinated, scored like in a dream, fought, and proved that Portugal and especially himself deserved to be in contention for the title. "Playing for the national team is a passion, it's a love," he said.
His 207th appearance for Portugal and goals 129 and 130 were a declaration of love and a battle cry at the same time. Strong Portuguese players thrashed Ireland 3-0 on Tuesday night. This didn't go unnoticed by the Czech Republic either. "Ronaldo shot down the Irish," "Sport" wrote in a military tone. The two teams will face off again on Tuesday in Leipzig. Other opponents in Group F are Georgia and Turkey.
Joy of playing meets determination
And Ronaldo is prepared. He didn't play in the test against Finland (4:2), and even warmed the bench for the loss against Croatia (1:2). Against Ireland, the captain took the field in Aveiro. In the first half, he hit the post with one of his typical free kicks, after the break, the superstar played alongside other top players from Europe's top leagues. He scored twice, with the first goal being a stunning strike in the corner in the 50th minute, followed by another ten minutes later. Additionally, yet another shot grazed the outside net.
Joy of playing combined with sheer determination - Ronaldo demonstrated that a team without him was unimaginable, despite some questioning his performance level following his move to the Saudi Arabian league. Despite scoring 44 goals in 45 games for his club Al-Nassr. "EM-superstar or prominent benchwarmer?" Austria's "Kurier" had already asked. The answer quickly appeared on the pitch.
"Ronaldo fits into Plan A, B, C, D - and the whole alphabet," wrote Portugal's sports newspaper "A Bola" the following day. Because Ronaldo adapts very well. Experts were already talking about his best performance since Roberto Martínez took over as coach in January 2023. "It looked like he (Ronaldo) still has a lot to say at his last EM," Spain's sports newspaper "Marca" also noted.
Tears belong to it
In defense - with the 41-year-old Pepe - compact and disciplined, sometimes with fast short passes in the game build-up and in the attack, but also with a side switch using long diagonal passes - Portugal demonstrated a variety and strength. It's no surprise that in qualification for the EM, the European champion from 2016 won all ten games and scored 36 goals while allowing just two goals.
The question of how well Ronaldo would perform lingered over Portugal. With his departure from Europe, the exceptional athlete also disappeared from the limelight. The league level in Saudi Arabia is unlikely to match that of the Premier League, Primera División, or Serie A, which Ronaldo had transformed during his time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus Turin.
However, Ronaldo hasn't lost any of his ambition and drive. This was evident in the tears after the lost cup final in Saudi Arabia. The same determination was displayed in his clenched fist and determined expression during the match against the Irish.
The next EM record is within reach.
Ronaldo has played in five European Championships, his first match was on June 12, 2004 at the home tournament. 24 more followed, and none played more European Championship games, or scored more goals than Ronaldo with 14. His sixth participation, if he's on the field at the start on Tuesday, will be a record. Adapting is key, Ronaldo emphasized in an interview on the UEFA website. "It's no coincidence that I've been playing at the highest level for 20 years, maintaining this level of performance is very challenging." Despite making it seem easy against the Irish.
