Ronaldo's debt

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

Will Ronaldo shine in the last Euro of his career? - 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 the same as winning with Argentina or Brazil. It's more difficult," Fox Sports quoted Ronaldo's statement in early 2017.

Pride of the nation

Throughout his 20-year career, Ronaldo has played with such pride. Like many other players, Ronaldo comes from a difficult family background. He had to go through great efforts to reach success. Even if Ronaldo did not win any titles with the national team, Portuguese fans would hardly have any legitimate reason to blame him. Before Ronaldo's era, the Portuguese team was only remembered for the World Cup bronze medal (in 1966, associated with the legendary Eusebio). That was the basis for Ronaldo to say that "winning with Portugal is harder than with Argentina or Brazil". Neither Ronaldo nor Messi owes any debt to the national team. In general, the success of the two best superstars of the 21st century has brought great honor to Argentine and Portuguese football. In the age of commercialization, the fact that Messi and Ronaldo have worked hard, shined and been mentioned by the media every day for 20 years has brought significant value to their countries. But both Messi and Ronaldo, or any other football superstar, crave success with the national team and for their own lives. The more successful a person is, the greater the pressure. In the summer of 2016 in the United States, Messi sat crying like a child after losing the penalty shootout of the Copa America final against Chile. That image became an obsession for him, as well as anyone who loved Messi for the next six years - before Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. One person's joy was the other's sadness. In 2016, Messi cried, Ronaldo laughed almost at the same time. And in Qatar, those two images were swapped. Despite having won countless glories in his career, the sight of Ronaldo sobbing as he walked into the locker room after losing to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup will be remembered for many years to come.

The Czech Republic is Portugal's challenge in the opening match of Euro 2024 - Photo: REUTERS

Last chance to catch up with Messi

Euro and World Cup are not the same. Now 39 years old, Ronaldo's dream of the 2026 World Cup is completely out of reach. But overall, both can help Ronaldo "balance the score" with Messi. Up to this point, it must be admitted that Messi has had a more complete career than his arch-rival. In addition to the 2022 World Cup, Messi also led his team to the 2014 World Cup final. Then won the 2021 Copa America, further afield was the 2008 Olympic gold medal, and the 2005 U20 World Cup. Not only that, Messi was honored as "best player" in all those wonderful journeys. Ronaldo won Euro 2016. But his pride was significantly diminished when he only scored 3 goals in France that summer. He even injured himself early in the final (25 minutes), and Portugal won the championship thanks to their solid defense - their highlight throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Messi scored 2 goals, led the game and successfully kicked the first penalty in the 2022 World Cup final. Overall, Ronaldo has won the Euro title, but still needs one last Euro to once again affirm his worth. Despite scoring 130 goals in 207 appearances for the national team, Ronaldo's career with Portugal has been quite lackluster. When Portugal was runner-up at Euro 2004 and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup 2006, Ronaldo was only a substitute. And when the team won Euro 2016, he injured himself and left the field early. The feeling of a debt will probably continue to haunt Ronaldo if he experiences another incomplete Euro.

Ronaldo will start

Despite being on the bench for the national team quite a lot recently, Portuguese media confirmed that Ronaldo is still sure to start in the opening match against the Czech Republic at 2am on June 19 (VTV3, TV360 THTT). Supporting him in attack will be Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao. In midfield, coach Martinez will probably choose the trio Palhinha - Vitinha - Bruno. The midfield battle promises to decide the outcome of the match because the Czech Republic also has a very strong midfield, with Coufal or Soucek being players who are shining in the Premier League.

Gone are the days when Portugal played defense.

Portuguese coach Luis Filipe, assistant to Mr. Polking

Portuguese coach Luis Filipe, assistant to Mano Polking, shared with Tuoi Tre about the national team before the opening match of Euro 2024: "People talk a lot about Ronaldo, about the current generation of outstanding Portuguese players. But I look forward to another factor 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 great strategists. But the truth is that since Euro 2016, Mr. Santos has prevented Portugal from breaking out because of his heavy defensive football mindset. The identity of Portuguese football is attacking, we have produced attacking superstars through many generations. That is even more evident at this time, when Portugal has Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Vitinha... who are attacking stars. Bruno Fernandes is the best attacking midfielder world. But in the national team, he has never shone as brightly as he did at Man Utd. Under coach Santos, Bruno was not given the freedom to play and develop his technical qualities. That is why I was so excited when Portugal appointed coach Roberto Martinez. Excluding Brazilian coaches (who share the same identity as the Portuguese), this is the first foreign coach in the history of Portuguese football. He is a coach who pursues an attacking style of football. The Portuguese team has changed significantly under Mr. Martinez, not just in terms of winning more matches or scoring more goals. Portugal now plays football true to the identity of Latin football. But to win the championship, good defense is always needed. I am a bit worried because Pepe is over 40, and some other defenders like Antonio Silva are overrated compared to their abilities. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a mistake that caused the team to lose at the 2022 World Cup. If he can overcome this psychological barrier, he will shine because Costa is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. As for Ronaldo? He is still excellent as usual. Of course, this is the version of Ronaldo who is almost 40 years old. Mr. Martinez will have to consider replacing Ronaldo in some cases. Personally, I would choose Diogo Jota, a player with a very good ability to score goals."

Tuoitre.vn

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