Ronaldo continued to fail at EURO 2024, but the set-up for Bruno Fernandes was a telling moment for the 39-year-old star.
The clause “Ronaldo is selfish” has officially been erased. Not because of the assist for Bruno Fernandes to score against Türkiye, because the 39-year-old has actually been adjusting his playing style for several years now. But when Ronaldo serves his teammates at an important moment, at a major tournament, it’s like an official statement.
Remember, if Ronaldo scores against Türkiye, he will set two extremely meaningful milestones. The 39-year-old striker will set the record for the oldest player to score at a EURO. In addition, it will also be Ronaldo’s first goal against an unfavorable opponent as he has not been able to hit Türkiye’s net in three previous meetings. Ronaldo has every reason to crave a goal against Vincenzo Montella’s team.
But in the 55th minute, Ronaldo suppressed his hunger for a goal to do something more meaningful for the team. Instead of shooting or dribbling past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Ronaldo chose to pass to Bruno Fernandes in a more favorable position. The MU midfielder easily increased the score to 3-0, Türkiye officially collapsed and the remaining minutes became easy for the Portuguese. Ronaldo’s collective decision contributed to bringing Portugal the ticket to the next round.
We will be hard-pressed to find a similar move during Ronaldo’s peak. This player established his name, position and illustrious career through his selfishness in front of the opponent’s goal. 895 goals highlight the portrait of the world’s top superstar but also create endless controversy about Ronaldo, a greedy selfish person behind a great goalscorer.
“Countries are easy to change, nature is difficult to change”, perhaps this saying does not apply to Ronaldo. The most selfish star in the world has “transformed” himself into a player who sacrifices for the team. At Al Nassr last season, Ronaldo was the number one passer with 13 assists. In Portugal, Ronaldo has contributed 3 assists in his last 7 appearances.
That’s why coach Roberto Martinez always protects Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain affirmed after the match against the Czech Republic that Ronaldo “has always been an example for the team in terms of professionalism, dedication and sacrifice for the team.” It’s not that Ronaldo doesn’t crave to score, in fact he’s always looking for a goal with a total of 9 shots in 2 matches in the EURO 2024 group stage. But even if the opportunity to score a goal eludes him, Ronaldo still knows how to close it. contribute to Portugal in other ways.
Players like Ronaldo and Pepe create a foundation of spiritual values for Portugal. Ronaldo may have finished awkwardly, Pepe may have worked harder, but they still persistently fought with extraordinary will and bravery. Two old men in their forties are becoming a special phenomenon at EURO 2024, twenty years after they played their first EURO in 2004.
As for Ronaldo, he will continue to diligently search for goals in EURO 2024. But not at all costs. Changing the way of thinking, changing the way of playing to bring the highest efficiency, that is Ronaldo at the age of 39. Didn’t Ronaldo make a glorious career because of his desire to turn himself into the best version.
