The 38-year-old is in the midst of a new phase of his career, with every game helping him extend his goalscoring record, putting him well ahead of rival Lionel Messi.
Three months after Qatar's tearful departure, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the opening match of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein on March 24 and gave a spectacular performance. ESPN said every game is an opportunity for CR7 to set more records. The 38-year-old superstar's top priority should be to expand his personal achievements. When Ronaldo is put together with Messi, Ronaldo does not want to be overshadowed.
Portugal was eliminated by Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, and Ronaldo must have been disappointed. Meanwhile, rival Messi shines brightly, winning the World Cup in Qatar along with Argentina. The rivalry between the two best stars in the world has tilted the scales in Messi's favor in recent years.
Cristiano Ronaldo disappointed at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored just 1 goal. Moving to Saudi Arabia in January was described by the media as a step backwards. But to the claim that he is outdated, Ronaldo responded with an impressive performance. He scored regularly at Riyadh Victory (9 in 8 matches) and the new coach of the Portuguese national team, Roberto Martínez, also gave him a chance.
Martinez said before the game against Array Chitenstein: "I don't look at age when I pick players, Ronaldo is very important for the team. "Maybe the Spanish boss just respects the greatest player in the history of Portuguese football. The team has young attacking players such as Leo, Felix, Jota and Ramos, but Liechtenstein is a weak opponent, Martinez gave Cristiano Ronaldo a chance, and Ronaldo proved his worth.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored 120 goals in 197 games for the national team, well ahead of rival Lionel Messi (99 goals in 173 games). Both at club and national level, Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi (830 vs 800). ESPN said that if Ronaldo can continue to play and get the stats that Messi cannot catch up, it will be the last glorious achievement of the Portuguese superstar's career.
If Martinez continues to trust Cristiano Ronaldo, he could make his 200th appearance for Portugal against Iceland in June. Ronaldo has no reason to stop. Before the 2022 World Cup, he had expressed his desire to participate in Euro 2024. By then, the CR7 will be 39 years old.
ESPN believes that a move to Saudi Arabia is a strategic and profitable solution for Ronaldo personally. Financially, Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in the world (€200 million for 1 year). In addition, the 38-year-old superstar plays in a league that is less competitive and less stressful than in Europe. There, facing some unknown opponents, Ronaldo can improve his personal achievements.
At the moment, the European Championship and World Cup are still far away for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, especially after a disappointing performance in Qatar at the end of last year. For Martinez, qualification for Euro 2024 is the first priority.
Portugal face Luxembourg in the second round of European Cup qualifiers on 27 March. This is Ronaldo's favorite "prey". Of the 120 goals scored by the national team, the 38-year-old superstar scored 11 goals against Luxembourg, more than against any other team.
Portugal will face Array Tenstein or Luxembourg again in the second half of the group stage. Not to mention the remaining opponents in the group, such as Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and so on, are not too strong, this is an opportunity for Ronaldo to expand his personal achievements.
At the moment, Portugal needs to innovate, and Ronaldo is unlikely to be a central figure. But if Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score, there is no reason for manager Martinez to exclude the 38-year-old superstar from the team. For Ronaldo, every goal or appearance at the moment counts.
"It's a new cycle. Ronaldo works hard and that's important so we can take advantage of his experience. Apparently Ronaldo has proven it. Coach Martinez said after the victory over Liechtenstein.
To catch the tail of youth, Ronaldo needs to make fans remember his record and goals, and he has the opportunity to extend the record for both club and country.