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Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal might have finally got past Slovenia to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, but the defining image of the night was of the Portugal captain dissolving into tears after missing a penalty in extra time.
One of the greatest players to ever play the game, Ronaldo had a frustrating night as he was on the periphery for most of the game. The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner showed incredible resilience to come back and score the first penalty in the shootout. Still, there have been many murmurs about whether at 39 years old he is the best option to lead Portugal to Euro glory this year.
Although Ronaldo has now gone 8 games without a goal in a major tournament (stretching back to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar), the Al-Nassr superstar has time and again shown he can never be counted out.
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He loves proving his critics wrong and here we look at 5 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo could still play a starring role and guide his country to glory at Euro 2024.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible mental strength and resilience
Cristiano Ronaldo might have burst into tears after missing a penalty in extra time, however, he showed brilliant mental strength and resilience to step up and score the first penalty in the shootout against Slovenia.
Ronaldo's determination and dedication to the game is well documented. While physically he is still extremely fit, mentally, he is just as strong if not stronger. The Portuguese superstar's never say die attitude could go a long way in the crucial quarter-final against France.
The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner has bounced back time and again and made a mockery of critics in the past before. No one will be surprised if he does it on the biggest of stages once again.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo is still the most complete forward in the Portugal line-up
The 39-year-old superstar might have lost a yard of pace, but he is still arguably Portugal's most complete forward.
Capable of scoring tap ins, towering headers or even thunderbolts from outside the box, Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest goalscorers to ever play the game.
Portugal are blessed with a plethora of attacking talent like Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, but the Al Nassr star brings something different to the table and he will be eagerly looking to inspire his country in the knockout stages.
#3 More pressure and responsibility on Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva
Cristiano Ronaldo has long been the talisman and the main man for Portugal in major international tournaments. However, with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva now at the peak of their careers, the pressure and responsibility no longer solely rests on the shoulders of the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Both Fernandes and Silva are more than capable of winning games for their country single-handedly and Ronaldo could enjoy greater freedom if opponents like France focus most of their attention on the dynamic duo.
Bruno Fernandes, in particular, seems to have formed a good understanding with Crisitano Ronaldo and it will be interesting to see how the Premier League duo will perform for the Os Navegadores in the coming matches.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo's leadership abilities could play a crucial role
No matter how he performs on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo is an important voice in the Portugal dressing room and on the pitch.
A living legend, teammates look up to him and respect the 39-year-old for everything he has already achieved in the sport. His never-say-die attitude and the will to win at all costs is truly inspiring and the Portugal team will be determined to give their legend a fitting farewell in what will be his last Euros.
Who can forget Cristiano Ronaldo passionately cajoling and motivating the players in the Euro 2016 final? The Al Nassr superstar will be hoping to guide and motivate his teammates to another trophy this summer.
#1 The undeniable aura of Cristiano Ronaldo
All great players have a presence about them. Be it Lionel Messi for Argentina, Virat Kohli for the Indian Cricket team or Novak Djokovic when he is on the tennis court.
You know you can never take them lightly no matter what form they are in. Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes of our generation. You can never discount him till he is on the pitch.
He might have not had the best of tournaments so far, but true champions always have a knack of showing up in the biggest moments. Speaking after the penalty shootout win against Slovenia to the press, the Al Nassr star said:
"Even the strongest people have their [bad] days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most.
"Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That's what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time.
"But the important thing is to enjoy it. The team did an extraordinary job. We fought right to the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority."
Ronaldo is a man for the big occasion and has scored plenty of important goals already in his storied career. It might just be a matter of time before we see the iconic 'Siuuuuu' celebration in this tournament.
