MICAH RICHARDS believes Portugal could claim Euro 2024 glory – but they have “a problem” with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 39-year-old forward has started every game for his country so far at the tournament to help them top Group F.
The Manchester United legend, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 130 goals in 230 caps.
He hit the headlines when he unselfishly set-up Bruno Fernandes in the 3-0 win over Turkey to move him joint-top in the competition’s all-time assist standings with eight alongside Karel Poborsky.
Ronaldo, who narrowly avoided injury from a pitch invader on Wednesday, is still yet to score himself though at Euro 2024.
He cut a frustrated figure when he was subbed on 66 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Georgia and now ex-Man City star Richards believes he could be a “little” issue for Portugal in their quest to go all the way.
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Ahead of their last-16 showdown with Slovenia on Monday, the former England defender was asked by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on who could win it on The Rest is Football podcast.
He said: “I like the look of Portugal. I think they could. In terms of squads, we know what they can do.
“They might have a little bit of a problem with Ronaldo. He got subbed off in the third game and he was…”
Lineker jumped in and said: “He was the only player that played the other two games that played in the last game. And you know why? We were talking about Wayne Rooney because we did the game before.
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“So we were looking ahead to the Portugal game because we had Jose Fonte with us. And we were saying, you know, Ronaldo is playing. Wow, why would you play him?
“He’s like, he’s getting on a bit now. Save your energy for the knockout stages. And Wayne went, there’s no way he wouldn’t play because he obviously wants to get, he hasn’t scored in the first two games.
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.
“And he wants his goals. And he was like, it’s like the whole game, he was angry. He was angry at the referees.
“He was angry at his teammates for not getting to the balls properly sometimes. And then when he went off, he kind of kicked something in disgust.
“He must be quite tough to manage because I think he was right to take him off.
“I mean, he got a yellow card as well in the game. So I mean, it would have been mad if he got himself another book in it, which would have meant a red in that game and then missed the next one.”
Shearer intervened and commented: “I don’t think it matters what he does. He’s playing.
“If he wants to play, then he plays, doesn’t he?”
Lineker agreed, saying: “Yeah. Oh yeah. No, he’ll play. And of course he’ll play. He should play.
“I still think he’s moving. He’s so sharp in the box. I watch him, he’s brilliant at the way he moves and he goes one way, spots in the other.
“And little dashes, obviously he can’t do too much. He’s not going to chase anyone down nowadays at his age, but his movement around the box, it’s not happened for him yet though. He’s missed, you can see the frustration.”
Shearer then asked Richards if he thinks Portugal can go and win it.
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The 36-year-old replied: “I think they’re still playing well without really hitting the heights.
“So we’ve talked about other teams sort of going back to England again. They’ll get better.
“I think Portugal will get better.”
Lineker had his doubts though, saying: “They’ve got to be contentious, although they have gone into that really hard side of the draw.
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“So somewhere they’re gonna have to meet either Spain, France or Germany. And they’re all tough games, but they could easily win.”
But Richards added: “They’ve got players who can step up in big moments.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
