Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the field, faces growing scrutiny as he approaches Euro 2024 at the age of 39.
Despite scoring 50 goals for Al-Nassr in the 2023-24 season, the challenge of competing at another European Championship will see Ronaldo up against significantly tougher opposition. As he prepares for his 11th major tournament, questions abound regarding his ability to perform at the highest level.
Portugal remains confident in their talismanic captain, looking to him for inspiration and leadership. However, Czechia’s football legend and former Manchester United star Karel Poborsky suggests that Ronaldo’s presence might actually benefit their team.
Poborsky, who earned 118 caps for his country and made a significant impact at Euro 96, shared his thoughts with CTK, expressing skepticism about Ronaldo’s current capabilities.
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“I have been saying for a long time that Ronaldo will be one of their weakest links. The fans of both teams will go crazy for him, but at his age, he is not as effective in building the game and pressing as his younger teammates. So, our team would prefer him to start. Hats off to him for what he has achieved – thanks to his enormous self-confidence. But you can’t stop age; he is 39”, Poborsky stated.
Poborsky’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that Ronaldo, while still a formidable goal scorer, may struggle to maintain his elite performance level throughout the demanding month-long tournament.
This perspective is not entirely new; during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, former Portugal coach Fernando Santos benched Ronaldo at times, indicating concerns about his ability to keep up with the pace and intensity of the games.
Ronaldo’s relationship with current coach Roberto Martinez will be crucial in determining his role in the upcoming tournament.
If Martinez shares Santos’s concerns, Ronaldo might find himself spending more time on the bench, despite his undeniable talent and track record. His ability to adapt to this role and still contribute significantly will be a key storyline as Euro 2024 unfolds.
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The stakes are high for Ronaldo and Portugal. As the nation once again looks to its legendary captain for guidance, the question remains: can Cristiano Ronaldo defy the odds and age to lead his team to glory, or will the physical demands of the tournament prove too much for the aging superstar?
The world will be watching closely as this football icon embarks on what could be his final European Championship.