With Euro 2024 right around the corner, fans of Cristiano Ronaldo will have been thrilled to hear of the legendary footballer's inclusion in Portugal's final squad for this summer's tournament.
Now plying his trade with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the mercurial striker heads to Germany for his sixth European Championship and 11th consecutive tournament with Portugal.
Roberto Martinez is at the helm for the first time in a major competition after replacing Fernando Santos, who famously dropped Ronaldo at the 2022 World Cup after the Group stages. However, the former Everton boss is confident in his player's ability to continue scoring for his country, with an impressive record in tournaments that speaks for itself.
Cristiano? It's better to talk about the data. He's a player who's scored 42 goals in 41 games for his club,” Martinez said.
“That shows his continuity and physical ability to always be fit, as well as the quality he has in front of goal, which we really like and need.”
In this article, we discuss what Ronaldo brings to his side as they hope of winning Euro 2024 as the Portuguese potentially enters his international swansong.
Wealth of experience
Is there anyone still playing in the modern game that can match the accolades of Cristiano Ronaldo? Domestically the 39-year-old may have left Europe for Saudi Arabia, but he still has managed to find the net regularly in the yellow jersey of Al Nassr. Despite playing as a lone striker, Ronaldo has 42 goals in 42 games across all competitions, and has proven he can find the back of the net whether that is for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, or, indeed, internationally.
As well as scoring in the top leagues Ronaldo has proven his worth for his country over and over. Portugal were perhaps the underdogs when it came to Euro 2016, especially when you consider France were on home soil and favourites with the best legal betting apps when the sides met in Paris.
Even when Ronaldo came off with an injury he was hounding his teammates on the touchline and encouraged them to victory. You can tell that being replaced certainly hurt, and may have contributed to the sacking of Santos, but with Martinez believing in him, expect Ronaldo to be the star man in what could be his last tournament for Portugal. Throughout qualifying Ronaldo was the second top scorer behind Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, and if he can pick up where he left off for club and country then Portugal stand in good stead this summer.
How will Portugal set up?
The Portuguese find themselves in a tough group alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia, and while they should be able to finish top, Ronaldo will need the help of his teammates to get the job done.
Expect the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva to be key in providing support for Ronaldo, with Diogo Jota of Liverpool, and Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint Germain - both recognised goalscorers for their respective European clubs - struggling with injuries towards the end of the season.
Behind them is a well-established back line that includes Ronaldo's former Real Madrid teammate Pepe. The 38-year-old is still going strong for Porto and regularly features in the Champions League, and his leadership will be crucial in terms of keeping goals out.
One last dance?
In short, this could be the last time we see Ronaldo ply his trade for Portugal at the top level. While the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA might only be two years away, Ronaldo is hardly competing with the best of the best in the Saudi League, and after a solid debut season in Paris, which will only be bolstered by Kylian Mbappe's departure from the Parc des Princes, it could soon be a breakout time for Ramos leading the line for Portugal.
At the next World Cup Ronaldo will be in his forties and while he is regularly scoring goals for now you wonder if his body, which is still kept in pristine condition, will eventually wilt under the demands of regular football at that age.
Overall, expect Portugal to do everything they can for Ronaldo in what will be his final European Championships. Martinez has a solid side that can compete alongside the favourites France, England, and hosts Germany, and if they can put together a run of momentum and avoid the big boys en route to the final, CR7 could sign off with a second European medal round his neck.