Ronaldo Masterclass No More?
Is Ronaldo's time dominating the spotlight done?
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One of soccer's best players just crashed out of the Euros. 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo saw his time with Portugal at the Euros end on Friday night in the quarterfinals. The Portuguese striker could not get his team on the board, as the game with France ended in a goalless draw before heading to a penalty shootout.
Ronaldo, Portugal's top scorer, did not score during the regular time of the tournament but scored both of his penalties during Portugal's shootouts. The Portuguese captain has only won the Euros once, and it was his last Euro tournament.
After leaving Real Madrid, Ronaldo moved to Juventus and Manchester United before joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. Since his time at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has scored 55 goals in the league and the AFC Champions League.
But the 39-year-old failed to lead Al-Nassr to the 2024 Saudi Pro League title and performed underwhelmingly at the 2024 Euros. Once the maestro for Portugal, Ronaldo no longer has the presence on the field he once had based on his stats.
Euro 2024 Struggles
Ronaldo failed to capitalize on any of his opportunities at the Euros, even having a penalty saved by the Slovenian goalkeeper. Once again, Ronaldo found himself at the center of attention, fighting tears on the sidelines after extra time against Slovenia.
Against France, Ronaldo was kept to 11 touches in the first half and was completely dominated by the tall French figure of William Saliba. Ronaldo found himself frustrated and practically ignored by his teammates. Even with good plays down the left flank, Ronaldo couldn’t keep up with his younger, faster teammates.
The Portuguese captain did not impress in the Euros and has even received criticism for his continuous antics towards the referees. His lackluster performances have drawn questions on whether it is time for him to hang up his boots. Whether Ronaldo decides to retire or not, Portugal has plenty of young talent to try and take his place.