Portugal’s legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo has experienced a rather uncharacteristic dip in his trademark on-the-ball influence at the international level. During the recent Euro 2024 tournament, the 39-year-old superstar averaged a mere 29.1 touches per game across the five matches he featured in – a far cry from the heights he has reached in the past.Ronaldo’s best-ever showing in this regard came back at the 2006 World Cup, where he averaged an impressive 66.2 touches per game. This remarkable statistic underscores just how pivotal the veteran forward has been in dictating the tempo and flow of play for the Portuguese national team over the course of his illustrious career.
While this recent downturn in his touch and involvement may raise eyebrows among his legions of devoted fans, it is important to remember that Ronaldo is now deep into the twilight of his playing days. Father Time waits for no one, and even the greatest of players must eventually come to terms with the natural decline in their physical capabilities.
The undisputed legend that is Cristiano Ronaldo experienced an uncharacteristic drought in front of goal during the recent Euro 2024 tournament. The 39-year-old Portuguese superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever grace the international stage, failed to find the back of the net even once across the five matches he played.This goalless stretch at a major championship marks a personal low point for Ronaldo, who has made a career out of scoring goals in the biggest moments. Despite his failure to add to his already staggering international tally, the veteran forward did manage to contribute an assist for his teammates during the campaign.Ronaldo’s inability to hit the back of the net at Euro 2024 was particularly surprising given his track record of consistent goal-scoring exploits for his country. Over the course of his illustrious career, the talismanic striker has amassed an astonishing 118 goals for Portugal, making him the highest international goalscorer of all time.
At previous major tournaments, Ronaldo has consistently delivered when it mattered most, propelling Portugal to glory at Euro 2016 and guiding them to the Nations League title in 2019. His performances have cemented his status as a national hero and one of the most iconic players to ever don the famous red and green jersey.However, the passage of time has begun to take its toll, even on a physical specimen like Ronaldo. As he approaches the twilight of his career, the aging forward has had to adapt his game to compensate for the gradual decline in his pace and explosiveness. While his technical ability and game intelligence remain undiminished, the task of consistently finding the net at the highest level has become increasingly challenging.
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s Portugal were eliminated from Euro 2024 after suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against France in the quarter-finals. The reigning world champions will now march on to face Spain in the semi-finals on July 9th, as they look to defend their continental crown.This setback will undoubtedly sting for the legendary Ronaldo, who has dedicated his entire career to bringing glory to his beloved homeland. However, his insatiable hunger for success and his relentless drive to cement his legacy as one of football’s immortals means he is unlikely to be deterred by this recent disappointment.
Fans around the world will eagerly await Ronaldo’s next opportunity to add to his already remarkable international goalscoring tally and inspire Portugal to further glory. Whether he is able to recapture the form that has made him one of the most dominant and influential footballers of his generation remains to be seen, but the mere presence of the iconic number 7 on the pitch will continue to captivate audiences and strike fear into the hearts of his opponents.As Ronaldo’s illustrious career begins to draw to a close, his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the game is already cemented. While this recent goal drought may tarnish his impeccable record to a certain degree, it does little to diminish the immense impact he has had on the sport and the indelible mark he has left on the global game. Wherever his journey takes him next, Cristiano Ronaldo will forever be remembered as a true titan of international football.