‘If this was ten years ago…’ – Stuart Pearce reveals major Cristiano Ronaldo concern as Portugal struggle to win
AN ENGLAND legend has highlighted a major concern regarding Cristiano Ronaldo that could scupper Portugal’s Euro 2024 hopes.
The forward, 39, made history by appearing at a record sixth European Championship on Tuesday.
Al-Nassr ace Ronaldo is already the all-time top scorer in Euro history with a tally of 14.
Now he has become the first player to feature at six separate Euros – a run that stretches back to 2004 – after helping Portugal to beat Czech Republic 2-1.
Ronaldo did fail to become the oldest goalscorer in the tournament’s history – but it was not for the want of trying.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker had five shots throughout the game.
And three of those were on target – but he was denied by Czech goalie Jindrich Stanek.
Fortunately for him and Portugal, 21-year-old substitute Francisco Conceicao came off the bench to win it in additional time.
However, ex-England left-back Stuart Pearce believes he has spotted a potential problem with Portugal.
And he claims that he feels some of Ronaldo’s team-mates do not seem to trust him as much as they used to in front of goal.
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Pearce, 62, was covering the game for talkSPORT and said: “This might sound ridiculous, but [maybe] they don’t trust Ronaldo enough to keep supplying him with the ball, that type of thing.
“There’s been times in the games where he’s shown to feet and they’ve not popped the ball into his net.
“There was one where Bernardo Silva, it was one of those rogue passes [by Czech Republic] that got cut out, Bernardo Silva had it in the centre circle.
“Ronaldo peeled off in an inside-right position, I’m thinking, ‘If this was ten years ago, you slide it in front of him and you know full well he’s going to get there and score’.
“He [Silva) denied the pass, and I found that quite strange.”
It might have been a luckless night for Ronaldo, but Spanish World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas told BBC: “Whatever you do, if Ronaldo plays well or the team plays well, he always finds a chance.
“He takes care of himself to another level. He needs just one little moment of space to create a chance.
“His overall play has been much better than the last couple of years. He’s always in front of the defender, he is unique.”
However, Alan Shearer added that he felt Portugal were looking for their talisman TOO MUCH.
He told BBC: “Sometimes Portugal were in good positions, but they were just looking for Cristiano Ronaldo, and there was better options on.”
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How Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals.