Ronaldo's debt

After Messi won the 2022 World Cup, in an interview he said he felt "relieved." Relieved because he had fulfilled his "debt to the nation" - Messi shared.

Will Ronaldo shine in his final European Championship? - Photo: Reuters

Ronaldo is not like Messi. A few months after winning Euro 2016, the Portuguese superstar caused a stir with his statement: "Winning a trophy with Portugal is not like winning with Argentina or Brazil. It's harder," Fox Sports quoted Ronaldo as saying in early 2017.

National pride

Throughout his 20-year career, Ronaldo has played with such pride. Like many other players, Ronaldo came from a difficult family background. He had to overcome immense difficulties to achieve success. Even if Ronaldo didn't win any titles with the national team, Portuguese fans would have little reason to blame him. Before Ronaldo's era, the Portuguese national team was only remembered for its bronze medal at the 1966 World Cup (associated with the legendary Eusebio). This is the basis for Ronaldo's statement that "winning with Portugal is harder than with Argentina or Brazil." Neither Ronaldo nor Messi owe anything to their national teams. Overall, the success of the two best superstars of the 21st century has brought immense honor to Argentinian and Portuguese football. In this era of commercialization, Messi and Ronaldo's diligent training, dazzling performances, and daily media attention over the past 20 years have brought significant value to their respective nations. But both Messi and Ronaldo, or any other football superstar, crave success with their national team and for their own lives. The more successful they are, the greater the pressure. In the summer of 2016 in the United States, Messi sat crying like a child after losing in the penalty shootout of the Copa America final against Chile. That image became a haunting memory for him, as well as for anyone who admired Messi, for the next six years – before Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. One person's joy was another's sorrow. In 2016, Messi cried, Ronaldo laughed almost simultaneously. And in Qatar, those two images were reversed. Despite having achieved countless glories throughout his career, the sight of Ronaldo sobbing as he walked into the dressing room after the defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup will be remembered for years to come.

The Czech Republic will be a tough challenge for Portugal in their opening match of Euro 2024 - Photo: REUTERS

Last chance to catch up with Messi

The Euro and the World Cup are not the same. At 39 years old, Ronaldo's dream of the 2026 World Cup is completely out of reach. But overall, both could help Ronaldo "level the score" with Messi. Up to this point, it must be acknowledged that Messi has had a more complete career than his rival. Besides winning the 2022 World Cup, Messi also led his team to the 2014 World Cup final, then won the 2021 Copa America, and further back, the 2008 Olympic gold medal, and the 2005 U20 World Cup. Not only that, Messi was honored as "best player" in all those amazing journeys. Ronaldo had Euro 2016, but his pride was significantly diminished when he only scored 3 goals in France that summer. He even suffered an early injury in the final (25th minute), and Portugal won the championship with their solid defense – a highlight throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Messi scored two goals, led the game, and successfully converted the first penalty in the 2022 World Cup final. Overall, Ronaldo has won the Euro, but still needs one more Euro to once again prove his worth. Despite scoring 130 goals in 207 appearances for the national team, Ronaldo's career with Portugal has been rather lackluster. When Portugal were runners-up in Euro 2004 and reached the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo was only a substitute. And when the team won Euro 2016, he was injured and left the field early. The feeling of a debt will probably continue to haunt Ronaldo if he experiences another incomplete Euro tournament.

Ronaldo will start.

Despite being a frequent substitute for the national team recently, Portuguese media assert that Ronaldo is still guaranteed a starting spot in the opening match against the Czech Republic, which takes place at 2 AM on June 19th (broadcast live on VTV3 and TV360). He will be supported in attack by Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao. In midfield, coach Martinez may choose the trio of Palhinha, Vitinha, and Bruno. The battle in the midfield promises to be decisive, as the Czech Republic also possesses a very strong midfield, with Coufal and Soucek being outstanding players in the Premier League.

The days of Portugal playing defensively are over.

Portuguese coach Luis Filipe, assistant to Polking

Portuguese coach Luis Filipe, assistant to Mano Polking, shared his thoughts with Tuổi Trẻ newspaper about the national team ahead of their Euro 2024 opening match: "Everyone talks a lot about Ronaldo, about the current generation of outstanding Portuguese players. But I'm looking forward to something else at Euro 2024. That is the playing style and demeanor of the Portuguese team. Coach Fernando Santos will be remembered as one of Portugal's greatest strategists. But the truth is that since Euro 2016, Santos has prevented the Portuguese team from progressing further because of his heavy defensive football philosophy. The identity of Portuguese football is attacking; we have produced attacking superstars over many generations. This is even more evident at this time, when Portugal has Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Vitinha... who are all attacking stars. Bruno Fernandes is one of the best attacking midfielders." He's a global star. But in the national team, he's never shone as brightly as he did at Manchester United. Under coach Santos, Bruno wasn't given the freedom to develop his technical skills. That's why I was so excited when Portugal appointed Roberto Martinez. Excluding Brazilian coaches (who share a similar identity with the Portuguese), he's the first foreign coach in Portuguese football history. He's a coach who pursues an attacking style of football. The Portuguese national team has undergone significant changes under Martinez, not just in terms of winning more matches or scoring more goals. Portugal now plays football true to the identity of Latin American football. But to win a championship, you always need a strong defense. I'm a little worried that Pepe is over 40, and some other defenders like Antonio Silva are overrated. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a mistake that led to the team's defeat at the 2022 World Cup. If he can overcome this psychological barrier, he will shine because Costa is one of the best goalkeepers currently. As for Ronaldo? He's still as excellent as ever. Of course, this is a version of Ronaldo who is almost 40 years old. Martinez will have to consider replacing Ronaldo in some situations. Personally, I would choose Diogo Jota, a player with excellent goal-scoring ability."

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mon-no-cua-ronaldo-20240618083523066.htm