PORTO • Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international exile to spearhead Portugal's hopes of winning the inaugural Nations League at home this weekend, but gone are the days when he was the European champions' only man to fear.
Having won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, the five-time Champions League winner has little left to prove.
Ronaldo, having shed tears as a teenager when Portugal, as hosts, lost 1-0 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final, can finally lift a trophy in front of an adoring home crowd to add to their Euro 2016 title.
Ahead of today's Nations League semi-final against Switzerland, defender Pepe declared that he was delighted to have his former Real Madrid teammate back because he is "the best player in the world" and is a "scoring machine".
Ronaldo took a break from international duty after last June's World Cup and returned only for the opening two Euro 2020 qualifiers in March.
Without their all-time record scorer (85), they still made it to the Nations League final four, with the Netherlands playing England in the other tie tomorrow.
In his absence, Bernardo Silva has come to the fore.
The midfielder, praised by his Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the most outstanding player in the Premier League as his team retained their English title, has also emerged as the principal creative force for his country.
He could be joined at the Etihad Stadium by compatriot Joao Felix, whose €120 million (S$184.6 million) buyout clause has not deterred a host of top European suitors, including City. He could become the most-expensive Portuguese player, even ahead of Ronaldo, who moved to Juventus for €100 million last year.
The forward is in line for his international debut today after a stellar season with Benfica, scoring 20 goals in all competitions to help his team become Portuguese champions for a record 37th time.
But the 19-year-old feels he still has "a lot" of room for improvement despite being seen as the 34-year-old Ronaldo's heir apparent.
Admitting to being star-struck on his first few days of training, Felix told Benfica's website: "It was weird, I had never seen him live, so close. I said to my colleagues and best friends later he looked like a video game character."
While opponents Switzerland do not possess the same star power, Xherdan Shaqiri will arrive in Porto as a newly crowned European champion with Liverpool.
Vladimir Petkovic's men, though, have shown their ability to spring a surprise in their run to the last four, beating top-ranked Belgium 5-2 in their final group game last November.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show, Football
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared disgruntled after realising his teammate Bernardo Silva had beaten him to the Uefa Nations League Player of the Tournament award. Portugal beat the Netherlands in the
Nations League: More than just Cristiano Ronaldo! Portugal
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 05, 2019, with the headline 'With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show'.
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show | NewsPlus
One fan wrote on Twitter: "If Portugal wins the Nation's League should Bernardo Silva (City) be in the conversation just as much as Cristiano Ronaldo (Juve) for the Balon d'Or?" Read More "Fuming
Cristiano Ronaldo Top 10 Ridiculous Things That No One
Ronaldo and Silva shine as Portugal dominate best Nations League XI Monday, Jun 10 2019 12:28 Transfer roundup (09/06/19) - Wan-Bissaka, Bale and Umtiti amid reports
Ronaldo gets the gold with Silva lining - finance.yahoo.com
Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Uruguay vs Portugal - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 30, 2018 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Jorge Silva Portugal fail to show they are more than just Ronaldo
Fans react to Bernardo Silva setting up Cristiano Ronaldo
More than just Ronaldo! Portugal could be ready to dominate after claiming first-ever Nations League. The Valencia man had swapped passes with Bernardo Silva to get into the position, with the
Portugal fail to show they are more than just Ronaldo - Egypt
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show Straits Times · 1d PORTO * Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international exile to spearhead Portugal's hopes of winning the inaugural Nations League at home this weekend, but gone are the days when he was the European champions' only man to fear.
Nations League: More than just Cristiano Ronaldo! Portugal
Portugal did not need Cristiano Ronaldo to go toe-to-toe with Virgil van Dijk as Bernardo Silva propelled them towards Nations League glory. More In the 28th minute it happened.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal star appears unhappy after
More than just Ronaldo! Portugal could be ready to dominate after claiming first-ever Nations League And just by being there, Ronaldo puts fear in the heart of the opposition. Andre Silva
Ronaldo and Silva shine as Portugal dominate best Nations
This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.
No comments:
Post a Comment