Euro 2024: on edge but permanent threat for his last Euro, Cristiano Ronaldo Portuguese player to follow against the Blues

Cristiano Ronaldo burst into tears during extra time against Slovenia in the round of 16. firo Sportphoto – Ralf Ibing

Although he has not yet scored in this Euro and burst into tears after a missed penalty in the round of 16, "CR7" remains the number 1 danger of a Seleçao of which he is the almost undisputed leader before meeting the French team, in the quarter-finals, this Friday July 5 (9 p.m. ).

Tears then apologies. And finally joy. Monday, against Slovenia (0-0, tab 3-0), Cristiano Ronaldo went through all the emotions after his penalty saved by Jan Oblak, before presenting himself as the first shooter in the penalty shootout. There again, a giant at the twilight of an immense international career that began twenty years ago and a monument still not satisfied as a new challenge looms against the Blues of Kylian Mbappé, this Friday.

"A war", said “CR7” before this semi-final. His duel with “Kyky” looks Homeric on paper. And fratricide, too, between the master and a student whose teenage bedroom was a temple partly dedicated to his idol. The admiration has not faded over time.

Clumsiness and disputed status

"We must know how to appreciate what he was, what he is, repeated the captain of the Blues on Thursday, a few weeks before following in the Portuguese's footsteps at Real. I just want to admire the greatness of the player. A unique player, there won't be two. […] But tomorrow, I hope he won't be as happy."

Always fanny, the Lusitanian is currently going through his Euro without success. However, he attempted 20 shots and scored eight times in his four matches, according to Opta, ranking first among clumsy players. Very unusual for such a machine for stacking achievements: 893 during his career, a total which earned him to be considered the best scorer in history by Fifa.

Cristiano Ronaldo était en larmes parce qu’il a aperçu l’image de sa mère en train de pleurer sur le grand écran du stade de Francfort

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pic.twitter.com/H6sn1gGoTi

— SEY D. NA天🇵🇹 (@SeydinaOfficial) July 2, 2024

Does this vanishing strike force illustrate the decline of the native of Funchal ? Could he have become a burden for a Seleçao full of talents condemned to the bench (Ramos, Joao Felix,  etc.) ? In the country, the opponents of the kid from Madeira, who arrived in the selection in 2004, exhume the memory of the final of a Euro 2016 won in France without the soloist, injured in the 25th minute.

Records galore

However, after a poor end at Manchester United and replacement status at the end of the 2022 World Cup, this physical work obsessive has regained his splendor in the national team (10 goals in qualifying) and in Saudi Arabia, at Al -Nassr (44 in 45 matches).

Rejuvenated, the five-time Ballon d’Or arrived at the European Championship escorted by his host of staggering stats: sixth Euro, unheard of, first player to have surpassed the 200 selections (211) for 130 goals, another record which he combines with that of top scorer (14) and passer (7) in the competition ahead of Michel Platini.

Player who "only thinks about himself" or "example" ?

But the tears that have flowed down the cheeks of the captain of the selection since 2007 have also brought to the surface this individualism of which he is an incarnation. "A shameful, inappropriate reaction", tackled the former German glory Dieter Hamann in the throat, denouncing a player who "only thinks of himself" . "He taught us all a lesson, live every day as if it were your last, have very high standards and never give up", defended the Spanish coach of the Seleçao, Roberto Martinez, citing "an example".

"The fact that this is my last Euro doesn't make me emotional" , swept away the person concerned. "I have never been afraid of challenges. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. But giving up is something I will never tell you about". While waiting to reveal whether or not he will play in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, obsessed with the milestone of 250 caps, Ronaldo has a 52nd major tournament match to play against the Blues. And if he falls, it might be in tears. But weapons in hand.

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