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Like it or not, Ronaldo is still the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to this Portugal team. The number of fans with his name on their shirt outnumber other players by about 10 to one, his name was roared with the volume of a goal when the line-ups were read out and they cheered his every touch in the warm-up. The cult of Ronaldo is alive and well.
But now that he’s 39 (the second-oldest player at the tournament behind his team-mate Pepe, who is the oldest player at any European Championship ever aged 41) and plays in the Saudi Pro League, could he still cut it at an international tournament?
Well, he was far more involved against Czech Republic than he was during the 2022 World Cup (when he was so ineffective he was dropped). He teed up a chance for Vitinha with a classy flick, he had a few chances himself, including a header that he shanked wide, and a shot on the turn and a free kick that were too close to the ‘keeper. He was also, quite clearly, the team’s leader and talisman.
Of Portugal’s starting XI, he had the fewest touches and the most shots, which is about what you would expect at this stage of his career. In any other team, you would say that kind of player needs goals to justify his place, but he’s a certain starter either way. The Ronaldo roadshow continues.
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Courtesy : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/turkey-portugal-live-updates-euro-2024-score-result/PHQzhI6mQ2lg/