Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing Tonight for Portugal vs Finland After Getting Teary-Eyed by Al Nassr’s King Cup Loss?
The 2023-24 soccer season has officially ended, but the players have no time to relax. All the stars in Europe are now gearing up for the all-important Euro 2024, and the spotlight will be on Cristiano Ronaldo who could be playing his last major international competition for Portugal. With the pre-tournament friendlies starting today, the 2016 champions will lock horns against a relatively easy opponent Finland before they face Croatia in the second warm-up game. Considering his trophy drought for the last few years, Ronaldo has a point to prove. But, will he play in the practice game against the Scandinavian team?
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is in no hurry to rush Ronaldo into national duty. According to the latest reports, the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner will not feature for Portugal later today at the Estádio José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. This comes after his Saudi club Al Nassr lost the King Cup final to Al Hilal in a penalty shootout last Friday leaving the striker in tears. But is that the reason why Ronaldo won’t feature against Finland?
This year hasn’t been the best for Ronaldo in terms of fitness, which might add to the questions about his absence. However, the good news is that there are no reports of the Portuguese captain nursing an injury ahead of Euro 2024. Reports suggest that the Portuguese association has given Ronaldo a week’s rest following the conclusion of the club season before the main tournament kicks off on the 14th of June.
The former Real Madrid stalwart was seen relaxing with his family on the beach a few days ago, a much-needed rejuvenation after a tough spell last season, where he shouldered the responsibility for both Al Nassr and the national team. Ronaldo was the highest scorer for Portugal in the qualifiers leading them to a comfortable entry into the main tournament. As Ronaldo spends some time away from the game, the rivals will be wary of the star’s well-known hunger once he returns.
Cristiano Ronaldo would be determined more than ever for Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t won many titles in the last three years. He won the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al Nassr, but it’s the only title he has won after winning Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2020-21. Given how much he has won in his career previously and his sense of competitiveness even at the age of 39, Ronaldo’s determination for another international title would be sky-high.
Ronaldo powered Portugal to their first-ever Euro title with three goals and three assists in 2016. He injured himself in the early moments of the final and had to go off, but the way he stayed on the sidelines alongside the manager Fernando Santos egging his teammates on was iconic to watch. It was one of the most emotional moments of Ronaldo’s career when Eder fired the match-winning goal against France in the extra time of the final to win the title for Portugal.
Portugal couldn’t defend their title four years later in 2020, as they lost to Belgium in the Round of 16, but Ronaldo will be keen to repeat the heroics of 2016 this time around. Do you think the Portuguese veteran will be able to add to his tally of international titles? Let us know in the comments.
