Ronaldo’s Last Stand: Euro 2024 Marks the Final Stage for the Football Legend.
The Portuguese team travels to Germany with the hope of winning the European Championship, just like they did eight years ago. Coach Roberto Martinez and his team participated in the Euro 2024 finals with a better qualifying record than any other team: 10 wins, 36 goals scored and only 2 goals conceded. Star Ronaldo started 9 matches as captain, scored 10 goals, ranked 2nd in the list of “Top scorers”, only behind Lukaku (Belgium, 14 goals).
Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal’s 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a friendly match on the morning of June 12. Photo: Getty
After the disappointing 2022 World Cup, the Portuguese team appointed coach Roberto Martinez to replace Mr. Fernando Santos. After the general change, Portugal changed its fortunes with a 100% winning rate in official matches. The Portuguese team’s impressive achievements give Ronaldo more motivation towards a sublime Euro 2024 . This is the 6th Euro, the 11th major international tournament in CR7’s career with the national team, but it could also be the last.
18 months ago in Qatar, Ronaldo was removed from the starting lineup for the Portuguese team, watching his rival Messi lift the World Cup gold trophy. The owner of 5 Golden Balls left the tournament in tears, suspected of being out of time and predicted to have difficulty participating in Euro 2024. Fortunately, World Cup 2022 is not the last time soccer fans will witness Seeing Ronaldo perform at a major tournament. With rigorous training efforts and steadfastness with the goal of playing top football, Ronaldo has made an impressive comeback in the new environment of Saudi Arabia. Although speed and stamina may be reduced, CR7’s scoring ability is not. In the Saudi Pro League 2023-2024, he scored 35 goals in 34 matches (a tournament record), making a great contribution to helping Al-Nassr win runner-up.
It was the change on the coaching bench of the Portuguese team that contributed to saving Ronaldo’s career. Coach Roberto Martinez has complete confidence in Ronaldo, a player he describes as “an iconic figure in football”. Ronaldo will turn 40 years old on February 5, 2025, but he is still filled with enthusiasm to contribute to top football, especially the desire to add to the world record he holds (record 130 goals in the national team).
As a big star in world football, he has conquered many glories at the club level, but Ronaldo is still longing for titles in the national team with his personal mark. Eight years ago, the Portuguese team won the Euro for the first time, but Ronaldo only played a supporting role. He scored 3 goals throughout the tournament, suffering an injury and had to leave the field early in the final. It was thought that Portugal would collapse without Ronaldo, but Eder created an unbelievable moment, scoring the only goal to help the home team beat France to win the championship.
At the Euro 2024 finals, the Portuguese team is in Group F along with Türkiye, Georgia and the Czech Republic. Located in a favorable group with high performance, the team nicknamed “Brazil of Europe” is considered one of the top championship candidates. Time and place have gathered, at this time Ronaldo needs “peace”, which is the support and help of his teammates; the trust of the coaching staff and fans. Ronaldo desires to conquer the Euro 2024 championship cup because the tournament in Germany is likely to be the final stage for him to show off his talent on the national team.
