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Cristiano Ronaldo, an icon in the world of football, faced an underwhelming performance at Euro 2024, prompting many to question the future of his international career.
As one of the greatest players ever, Ronaldo’s legacy is firmly established, but his recent form raises critical questions about his continued role with Portugal. Is his dip in performance due to playing at a lower standard in Saudi Arabia, the inevitable ticking clock, or a combination of both?
As Portugal looks ahead, it must weigh the benefits of Ronaldo’s experience against the need to foster emerging talent.
The Saudi Factor and the Age Question
Since his move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s competition level has undeniably shifted. While the Saudi Pro League is rapidly improving, it doesn’t yet match the intensity and quality of Europe’s top leagues. This transition might have impacted Ronaldo’s sharpness and ability to perform against the world’s best at Euro 2024.
Age is another undeniable factor. At 39, Ronaldo’s physical capabilities are naturally declining. His exceptional movement remains a testament to his intelligence, experience, and understanding of the game from a positional sense. However, the execution—once his hallmark—is no longer as clinical. The missed opportunities and the frustration seen on the pitch at Euro 2024 underline a player struggling to keep up with his own extraordinary standards.
Ronaldo’s presence on the field is both a blessing and a curse for Portugal. His teammates, perhaps out of reverence or habit, often look to him at every opportunity. This dynamic can disrupt the flow of the game and limit the development of a more diverse attacking strategy. A team overly reliant on one player, especially one past his peak, risks becoming predictable and less effective, especially when Portugal has plenty of creative attacking options at its disposal.
Manager Roberto Martinez’s insistence on playing the 39-year-old Ronaldo in nearly every minute of his country’s five matches, regardless of form, complicates this further. It is challenging to sideline a captain and legend, but the team’s overall performance should take precedence. Balancing respect for Ronaldo’s contributions and the potential moments he can create with the strategic needs of the team is a delicate task that Martinez must navigate.
Ronaldo stated in an interview “It is without a doubt my last European Championship” but has not ruled out participation in the 2026 World Cup. This prospect is tantalizing for fans but poses significant questions for Portugal’s football future. Should the national team invest its time and resources in preparing a team around what would be a 41-year-old Ronaldo, or should it focus on cultivating his replacements?
Portugal boasts a wealth of young attacking players who could benefit from the opportunity to step up. Investing playing time into these players now could pay dividends in the future, ensuring the national team remains competitive on the world stage. Allowing younger talents to lead the line would provide them with invaluable experience and the confidence to perform at the highest level.
The debate over Ronaldo’s future with Portugal is complex. His contributions to the team and his status in football history are undeniable. However, the performance at Euro 2024 suggests that it may be time for a strategic transition. Portugal must carefully consider the long-term benefits of nurturing new talent versus the short-term gains of keeping an ageing superstar in the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey with Portugal has been nothing short of legendary, but every great career must eventually give way to the next generation. As Portugal looks to the future, the team must strike a balance between honouring Ronaldo’s legacy and embracing the potential of its young stars. Whether Ronaldo takes the pitch in 2026 or not, his impact on Portuguese football will endure, but the time may have come for the team to evolve and allow new leaders to emerge.
Written by David Skilling