Major concerns over Cristiano Ronaldo: “If this was ten years ago…”

Winning start

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal got their Euro 2024 campaign underway with a late 2-1 victory over Czechia thanks to an own goal and Francisco Conceicao's winner.

Making history

Ronaldo, 39, created history by becoming the first player to play at six European Championships, starting at Euro 2004. The Portuguese talisman is already the Championship's record scorer, netting 14 goals in those six tournaments.

Saudi Arabia

The footballing GOAT has been on fire for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 35 goals in 31 league games, according to the Transfermarkt website. However, he is yet to become the oldest player to score at the Euros after a goalless game against Czechia.

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A potential problem?

Ronaldo had five shots, with three on target yesterday, and England legend Stuart Pierce believes Ronaldo could be a problem for Portugal if they are to progress in the competition.

"They don't trust Ronaldo"

According to The Sun, Pierce said: "This might sound ridiculous, but [maybe] they don't trust Ronaldo enough to keep supplying him with the ball, that type of thing."

"If this was ten years ago"

"Bernardo Silva had it in the centre circle. Ronaldo peeled off in an inside-right position, I'm thinking, 'If this was ten years ago, you slide it in front of him, and you know full well he's going to get there and score. He [Silva] denied the pass, and I found that quite strange."

Uneventful night

As well as the five shots, it was an uneventful evening for Ronaldo, who had 32 touches of the ball, completed 22 passes, and won one aerial duel.

Options to replace Ronaldo

Portugal has plenty of options to replace Ronaldo, with Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos capable of playing in the striker role if 'CR7' isn't performing.

"He always finds a chance"

According to BBC Sport, two-time Euros winner Cesc Fabregas said: "Whatever you do, if Ronaldo plays well or the team plays well, he always finds a chance. He takes care of himself to another level. He needs just one little moment of space to create a chance."

Can CR7 spur them on?

After kicking off their campaign with a win, Portugal faces Turkey and then rounds off the group stages with a game against Georgia. Can Ronaldo spur them to victory?

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