Portugal Fights On In Euros, But Cristiano Ronaldo Has To Produce Soon

Since joining the national team in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo has played a major role in turning Portugal into an international powerhouse and perennial title contender. At age 39, however, it’s possible that he is holding the team back.

In four games at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, Ronaldo has not yet scored a goal and has visibly expressed his frustration on several occasions. The team has managed to advance to the second round of the knockout stage, but despite taking free kicks and penalties for the team, Ronaldo’s impact to this point has been minimal.

In the group stage, Portugal survived a scare in the first game when Czechia took a 1-0 lead in the 62nd minute. The team drew even on an own goal a few minutes later before Portuguese substitute Francisco Conceição scored in stoppage time to steal the victory.

Following a clean 3-0 victory over Türkiye in the next match, Ronaldo and Portugal were left sputtering when Georgia defeated them 2-0 to advance to the knockout stage. Portugal had already clinched a spot, but Ronaldo was again relatively unproductive.

After an erratic group stage, Portugal was again stuck in a rut against a lesser team in the knockout stage Monday, trying but failing to break a 0-0 score against Slovenia.

Despite dominating their opponent in possession and shots on target, Portuguese players couldn’t break through after 90 minutes. In extra time, Ronaldo had a chance to win the game on a penalty but could not get one past goalkeeper Jan Oblak. He broke down in tears after the miss, the combined effects of four scoreless games finally coming to a head in an instant.

Portugal went on to defeat Slovenia 3-0 on penalties, and Ronaldo converted on his chance to break the draw. Still, he and the Portuguese team have never looked shakier and will have to face an undefeated French team in the Quarterfinal on Friday.

Despite struggling to score in this tournament, several insiders have described Ronaldo’s off-ball movement in glowing terms. In many ways, he is still the superstar the team needs. At some point, however, he will have to start living up to those expectations in the box score, or step aside for the team’s younger talent in big moments.