Beginning his sixth Euro with Portugal in a week, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to push his limits at 39 years old. Eager to further etch his name in history, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner arrives with full ambition aiming for a second triumph in a European Championship.
With five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles, the European Championship in 2016, and the Nations League in 2019, whether individually, with his club, or with the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo has tormented his opponents and amassed trophies for over twenty years. While the twilight of his career looms, the 39-year-old forward has not yet hung up his boots and is gearing up for his sixth European Championship with Portugal, a record in the competition.
A finalist in 2004 and a winner in 2016, the Portuguese has shone in this competition, where he is the all-time leading goal scorer with 14 goals. In fact, he was crowned the top scorer of Euro 2020 with 5 goals (alongside Patrik Schick). Ready to showcase his talent once again, the Madeira-born player is expected to make an impact in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal.
Absent against Finland (4-2 victory) and on the bench during the loss to Croatia (2-1), he should be in action tonight against Ireland. A final moment to prepare before the start of the competition, which kicks off on Tuesday, June 18th for Portugal against the Czech Republic. Still crucial for the national team even as he knows he’s nearing the end of his career and likely his final tournament with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo is happy to be part of the journey once again. “I am proud to be the first player to participate in six Euro final tournaments. I am thrilled because it shows the longevity of my career.
However, this is just one chapter of what Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved in football. I am happy and feel privileged to be here to help the national team achieve its goals and, of course, try to win it, which is our main objective,” he proudly announced to UEFA’s website during an interview. With 206 caps and 128 goals for Portugal, he also spoke about his longevity and how he has maintained a high level of competitiveness: “if a player wants to have longevity, he must have great adaptability and the necessary characteristics for that adaptation. That’s what I’ve tried to do. It’s no coincidence that I’ve been playing at the highest level for 20 years, and maintaining these performances is very difficult. It’s only with a lot of discipline and hard work that we can achieve these numbers.” Cristiano Ronaldo aims for his second Euro.
Becoming a substitute during the last World Cup with Portugal in favor of Gonçalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to reclaim a starting position. However, the Portuguese star knows he no longer has the impact he once had and is expected to rely on other qualities such as leadership. As captain of his team and gearing up for his eleventh international competition, he will have the desire to share his vast experience within the Portuguese squad: “I try to be a leader in a way that I find productive.
I want to be a player who helps others, someone they can admire, see as a role model, and be a good professional. I like to lead by example, as I often say. I’m not one to talk much, but I prefer to show who I am. And when it’s time to tighten ranks, when things are not going well, you have to know when to discipline them and when to support them. But when things are going well, you have to be with them and work together. Leadership style is very personal, but within this team, we have many leaders in their own way, and that’s one of the reasons why I think we are a great national team.”
Having tasted victory with Portugal in Euro 2016 and the Nations League 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming off two disappointments with his national team. Firstly, during Euro 2020 against Belgium in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat, and then during the 2022 World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the quarter-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo is convinced that this team can redeem itself and win the competition. However, he remained cautious when discussing victory: “I am convinced that this team will bring a lot of joy to Portuguese supporters, starting with this Euro.
However, in my opinion, the best generation of players is always the one that wins. I hope this national team will win because it is an incredibly talented team. But as we all know, talent alone is not enough to win. There are many factors that come into play to win a major tournament like this. We have all the ingredients to win it, but we will take it step by step, match by match, while believing in it. What we achieved in 2016 was historic, both for Portuguese football and for world football. Now, we have our feet on the ground, but our minds are set on the stars to see that it’s possible to win the Euro.”
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