Cristiano Ronaldo’s time with Portugal at Euro 2024 came to an end after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to France. This time, unlike the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo chose not to shed tears as he walked off the field, leaving the captain’s armband behind. Portugal’s performance at the tournament, marked by an underwhelming campaign despite the presence of talented players like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, raised serious questions about Ronaldo’s future with the national team. The team’s struggles, culminating in a quarterfinal exit, exposed a stark reality – can Portugal truly thrive with Ronaldo?
Portugal’s lackluster attack at Euro 2024 was a cause for concern. Despite the individual brilliance of Fernandes and Silva, the team only managed to score five goals in five matches. Ronaldo’s own contribution was minimal, with 23 shots but not a single goal to his name. This stands in stark contrast to Portugal’s performance in Ronaldo’s absence. In the four games Portugal played without him in 2024, they won three convincingly, scoring a staggering 19 goals, averaging 4.75 goals per match. This begs the question: Is Ronaldo a liability for this Portugal side?
This question isn’t entirely new. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, coach Fernando Santos dropped Ronaldo from the starting lineup in the Round of 16 clash against Switzerland, citing a strategic decision due to Ronaldo’s lack of form. This bold move resulted in a remarkable 6-1 victory, with Ronaldo’s replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring a historic hat-trick. Ronaldo’s performance at the World Cup, beyond a first-round penalty against Ghana, was underwhelming, with no further goal contributions. A shock quarterfinal defeat against Morocco saw a devastated Ronaldo exit the field in tears.
The trend continued at Euro 2024. In the Round of 16 match against Slovenia, Ronaldo’s penalty miss in extra time left Portugal on the brink of another early exit. It was only thanks to Diogo Costa’s incredible performance during the penalty shootout that Portugal salvaged a victory and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Ronaldo’s recent performances in major tournaments paint a concerning picture. He hasn’t scored a non-penalty goal in his last 11 World Cup and Euro appearances. His expected goals of 3.60 without scoring are the highest ever, without conversion, at a major men’s tournament since 1980. His struggles in Euro 2024, especially in one-on-one situations, a hallmark of his prime years, further highlighted his decline.
With Ronaldo turning 41 by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around, the question of his future with Portugal remains open. Whether he chooses to continue playing or not, it’s undeniable that the weight of his legacy has cast a shadow over the team for years. Perhaps now is the time for Portugal to break free from his shadow and chart a new path. The impressive performances in his absence offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for Portugal.
