Portugal Euro 2024: A Missed Opportunity?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence loomed large over Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign. His teammates, including Rúben Dias and Nuno Mendes, celebrated their defensive efforts against France’s Kylian Mbappé, while Ronaldo embraced a tearful Pepe. The scene showcased a united team, yet questions linger about Ronaldo’s role and impact on Portugal’s tournament run.

Manager Roberto Martinez’s decision to play Ronaldo in nearly every minute of every game raised eyebrows. While Ronaldo’s record speaks for itself, his performance in the tournament fell short of expectations. He took 23 shots without scoring, accumulating an expected goals (xG) of 3.51, the highest ever for a player without a goal at a major men’s tournament since 1980. Martinez seemed to be betting on Ronaldo’s past glory rather than focusing on Portugal’s present needs.

Martinez constructed a system designed to maximize Ronaldo’s strengths, utilizing the speed of Rafael Leão, the creative playmaking of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, and the crossing ability of João Cancelo. Even set pieces were tailored for Ronaldo. This strategy worked in qualifying, but its effectiveness waned in the tournament. Ronaldo’s lack of mobility put a strain on the midfield and his finishing touch was absent.

The tournament exposed the stark reality of Ronaldo’s declining physical abilities. A younger Ronaldo would have converted the chance created by Francisco Conceição. Moments later, Ronaldo’s pressing attempt against Dayot Upamecano highlighted the difference between his past and present form.

Fernando Santos, Martinez’s predecessor, had benched Ronaldo in the knockout stages of the Qatar World Cup. This precedent begs the question: why couldn’t Martinez, an outsider brought in for a fresh perspective, make the same difficult decision?

Portugal’s loss to France on penalties wasn’t solely due to Ronaldo. Missed chances by other players, including João Félix, contributed to the defeat. However, Martinez’s apparent fixation on Ronaldo raises questions about his strategic choices.

Portugal’s Euro 2024 journey ultimately ended in disappointment. While Ronaldo’s legacy remains secure, the tournament highlighted the challenges of managing an aging superstar. Perhaps a different approach, one that prioritized the team’s overall performance over individual legacies, could have yielded a different outcome for Portugal in Euro 2024.