“He knows he doesn’t have the capacity to beat a defender” - Ex-Premier League coach on how Cristiano Ronaldo adapted after Saudi move

Former Premier League coach Carlos Carvalhal has explained how Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has changed his game to make up for his loss of pace with advancing years. The 39-year-old moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in December 2022.

Ronaldo, 39, is widely regarded as one of the best players to have graced the beautiful game, but with Father Time catching up with him, his physical attributes aren't what they used to be before.

Currently in action with his national team at Euro 2024 in Germany, Ronaldo is looking to win a second European Championship but is yet to open his account after three games.

Meanwhile, he moved out of European football after falling out of favour with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, eventually seeing his contract terminated by mutual consent.

Explaining how his compatriot has evolved with advancing years - by being more involved in the build-up play - Carvalho - who has managed Swansea and Sheffield United - told The Sun (via GOAL):

“I think going to Saudi was the best decision he could make because now he is more relaxed, not under so much pressure and enjoying himself. This is a different player, whose contribution to the team is better.

"In the friendly against Ireland before the Euros, his body image was saying, ‘Here I am, I want to help my country’. Cristiano was much more involved in building the attack, not just wanting to be the one who scored the goals when he got near the box.

Carvalho continued:

"He is intelligent and knows he doesn’t have the capacity to beat a defender in a one-on-one in the same explosive way as the past. He can do, but it’s not really his game any more. You can see he is offering more in the build-ups. He is clever and has adapted to help the team.”

Ronaldo and Co. take on Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 on Monday (July 1) in Frankfurt.

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"You don't want to be facing a thirsty, competitive confident Cristiano Ronaldo" - William Carvalho

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo

In the same interaction, Carvalhal observed that despite his loss of pace, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a formidable proposition in front of goal. The Portugal captain is coming off a 44-goal season with Al-Nassr.

Lauding Ronaldo for his competitiveness and effectiveness even at his age, Carvalhal sent an ominous warning to opposition teams, expressing confidence in his goalscoring prowess for Portugal:

“His own performance is obviously crucial to him, he’s a competitive animal, and is still scoring. The goals, assists and number of games he has played are the same as when he was in Europe, too, so he certainly isn’t frustrated.

"It doesn’t mean he won’t carry on scoring for Portugal. If you’re an opponent, you don’t want to be facing a thirsty, competitive, very confident Cristiano — and he is.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to become the first player to score in six editions of the Euros and also the oldest to score in the competition, having drawn a blank in a major tournament group stage for the first time in 11 appearances.