Portugal faced scrutiny over their management of their iconic captain throughout Euro 2024, which concluded with a quarter-final loss to France. Despite being 39 years old, Ronaldo started every match in what was expected to be his final European Championship appearance.
Roberto Martinez appeared to cater to his enigmatic captain’s wishes, despite Ronaldo’s failure to score in five games, including a missed penalty and numerous off-target free kicks. Ronaldo was substituted only once, during a group stage match against Georgia. Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, speaking on the Euro Thrash podcast, speculated on how Bruno Fernandes, current star of Manchester United, would have reacted to being substituted before Ronaldo: “He would have been angry. He came off in the 75th minute [against France] and he was actually getting on the ball trying to create. You’re going to be frustrated. But if anything, Ronaldo has earned that. I know it is tough but he has 100% earned the right to stay on the pitch, because he can still get you a goal.”
Brown emphasized the team’s respect for Ronaldo, noting an instance where Ronaldo took a free kick from an unusual angle simply because he wanted to score. “There is a lot of respect in that team for Ronaldo. There was one free kick that was not even of his side, but he took it anyway because he wants to score. I do think it comes to a stage and the lads will think ‘he’s not going to take him off, there’s no chance, this is going to be his last Euros’. He is still that guy who can get you a goal. I don’t think there is anyone else in that team who has been scoring outright. Yes, he wasn’t playing particularly well, but I don’t think the manager wanted that responsibility and the press that comes with it to take him off, that definitely would have come into it a little bit.”
Reflecting on Ronaldo’s emotional response after missing a penalty against Slovenia, Brown recalled similar experiences with him at Manchester United: “He missed a couple when I was with him at Man United in important games, so he has been there and done it. It’s all about, will he step up again, but as any striker will tell you, it is your job. You want to take the penalty regardless of what happens. He would have been a little big disappointed that he missed that one, but he did get through anyway, it’s the personality of the player. Regardless, he will want to score, he will want to take it, even if there are some you might miss.”
Ronaldo, who scored 50 goals for Al-Nassr during the 2023-24 season, has amassed 212 caps for Portugal and holds the record with 130 international goals. However, doubts linger about his future, with skepticism about his ability to continue until the 2026 World Cup.