CRISTIANO RONALDO was surprisingly BENCHED in Portugal’s penultimate Euro 2024 warm up match against Croatia.
And the bold call from manager Roberto Martinez looks to have backfired as a lacklustre Portugal lost 2-1 to Luka Modric’s inspired side.
Goals in each half by Modric and Ante Budimir gave Croatia a historic first win over the Euro 2016 winners in eight matches.
Ronaldo had only joined the Portuguese national team camp the day before the match in Lisbon, so Martinez may have been resting him.
But Ronaldo did not get off the bench, meaning he’s received zero minutes for Portugal since March’s 2-0 defeat to Slovenia.
The five-time Ballon d’Or has had to get used to being benched in recent years.
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He was dramatically dropped for Portugal’s round of 16 tie against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Pepe took up the captain’s armband in Ronaldo’s absence, and replacement striker Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick in the 6-1 win.
He was again benched in the quarter-final exit to Morocco, but was brought on at half-time with Portugal trailing 1-0.
The 39-year-old is set to make a record sixth appearance at Euro 2024.
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International football’s all-time top goalscorer with 128 goals, Ronaldo helped Portugal win the Euros from the sidelines in 2016.
After an early injury left him in tears against France, he spent most of the additional time on his feet in the technical area with his knee bandaged up.
Yet he inspired his side to victory from the side-lines, after issuing his own instructions behind then coach Fernando Santos.
Portugal has only won one game inside 90 minutes throughout the tournament, which came against in the semi finals against Wales.
Aside from that, Portugal drew their three group games against Iceland, Austria and Hungary and beat Croatia in the last-16 with an extra time winner from Ricardo Quaresma.
Portugal have one more friendly — against Ireland on Tuesday — before they start Euro 2024 against the Czech Republic on June 18.
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
