Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro – an inspiration to many and an undoubted legend of the game to all. With a career defined by beautiful achievements too much to count, consensus alike is that a man who brings joy to the hearts of many, should remain on the pitch forever.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “This will be my last Euro, for sure… of course”.
“But I’m not moved by this, I’m moved by enthusiasm”.
“I was sorry for the fans. I’ll always give my best for this shirt, whether I miss it or not. And I’ll do this my whole life. You have to take responsibility”. [Quotes taken via Fabrizio Romano on Facebook]
The 39-year-old echoed these words after an emotional roller-coaster of a game against Slovenia in Portugal’s Euro 2024 round of 16 penalty shootout victory.
With the pressure of an entire nation on his shoulders and with him yet to score at the tournament, Ronaldo missed from 12 yards as familiar foe Jan Oblak refused to be beaten – as he was denied a chance to create yet another record in a glittering career, this time being the oldest goalscorer at the European Championship.
However, the Portugal captain, who set the record of being the player with the most European Championship appearances [6], would not be denied a second time as he stepped up first for his team in the shootout to send them on their way to victory – courtesy also of three saves from teammate Diogo Costa – as he made a gesture of apology towards his countrymen and spectators.
Although, before netting the penalty in the shootout, Ronaldo was subject of attention as he was captured heavily emotional.
During the team talk in halftime of extra time, sighting his mother in the stands, the Al-Nassr forward could not hold back the tears, as he was pulled away and consoled by former Manchester United teammate Diogo Dalot.
A feeling of letting his nation down and being the cause of their exit?.. maybe. Or that feeling, knowing an exit of this manner in his what would have been his last European Championship appearance was not what he envisioned could also be understandable.
Rewind to the FIFA World Cup in 2022 where Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter final stage as Ronaldo was pictured in the tunnel heavily emotional, also like the Euro 2024 last 16 game against Slovenia.
A World Cup win with Portugal would have been Ronaldo’s biggest wish, although you could admit 2026 presents yet another opportunity – but he would be 41 years of age by then and 43 for when Euro 2028 comes around.
Which ultimately implies, finishing this year’s competition on a high seems a non-negotiable at this point for the highest goal scorer in men’s international football history.
Ronaldo has built a career defining the odds and turning pressure moments to beautiful stories.
From a not so favourable childhood, making a name under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, then securing – at the time – a world record transfer to Real Madrid, coming to the rescue by netting several stoppage time goals, multiple Ballon d’Or awards, being the UEFA Champions League’s all-time top scorer, lifting several trophies and carrying the teams he has played for on his back and being those club’s top scorer — Ronaldo strives for nothing but excellence.
Another pressure moment has come around as Portugal find themselves in the Euro 2024 quarter final against France, led by 25-year-old captain Kylian Mbappe.
With his goalscoring prowess, blistering pace dribbling ability and outstanding performances since he was a teenager, Mbappe has been seen as Ronaldo-esque.
What could be a bigger embodiment of that than seeing the Frenchman secure a move to Real Madrid ahead of the 2024-25 season, as he will be wearing the number nine jersey, which Ronaldo also started with at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe has severally acknowledged Ronaldo as his idol and his biggest inspiration, with Portugal legend returning the favour by responding to Mbappe’s Instagram post on his move to Real Madrid: “My turn to *eyes emoji* Excited to see you light up the Bernabéu. #HalaMadrid ” — a comment which is now known as the most liked reply ever under a post on the social media platform.
At 18, Mbappe already had the world at his feet, leading Monaco — whom he was their youngest debutant for at 16 — to the Ligue 1 title and going on to secure the €180 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, making him the most expensive teenager ever and the second-most-expensive player ever [behind teammate Neymar], and breaking the record for the largest transfer within a domestic league, becoming their all-time top scorer with over 200 goals in a seven-year span.
Mbappe made his debut for France on March 25, 2017 and was key in the 2018 World Cup, scoring four goals for Les Bleus en route to their triumph, and him winning the World Cup as a teenager and also becoming the youngest goalscorer for France in the World Cup, aged 19.
Named as the national team captain at 24, the soon-to-be-unveiled Madrid star has also netted half as many goals as his number of appearances for France, scoring 48 times in 82 games as he also scored his 100th career goal in the 4-0 away win over Andorra in Euro qualifying in June 2019.
At age 23, Mbappe became only the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick as France lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final but Mbappe would claim the golden boot, finishing with eight goals in the tournament as he became the sixth all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history with twelve goals, tied with Pelé.
These records and statistics can only be compared to the greats, a bracket Ronaldo is firmly part of, as many feel Mbappe will be seen as one when he decides to call time on his career.
In what is seen as arguably the biggest game of Euro 2024 at this stage, Portugal against France would see Ronaldo and Mbappe square off once again, this time as captains of their respective nations in what could be termed as mentor against mentee or the master against the student.
However, Mbappe — who is on the quest for a first ever European Championship title — would not want to be seen as the student anymore as he aims to take his place as the confirmed heir to Ronaldo’s throne or as well, forge his own.
In July 2016, Mbappe scored five times for France as they won the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. His second-half brace in the 3–1 victory over Portugal in the semi-finals had helped his team reach the final — however, the last time Mbappe faced France at the senior European Championship, he was below par in the 2-2 draw in Euro 2020, with Ronaldo scoring twice in the contest.
Mbappe would hope for the former to play out again, meanwhile Ronaldo will be desperate for the latter to repeat itself.
Interestingly though, a change of fortunes will be needed as Ronaldo is yet score despite his 20 shots in Euro 2024, with statistics showing an expected goals [xG] of 2.75 and him recording 4 big chances missed.
Leading Portugal to their maiden major title by winning Euro 2016 and also lifting the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, Ronaldo has too many achievements too numerous to mention both for his international career and in club level.
Many would wish for such a storied career not to come to a conclusion just yet but Friday could seem as a passing of the torch, (not just on the European stage), from an absolute legend of the game to the game’s next best star and poster boy ready to sit on the throne as the man.
