Biggest flop? Cristiano Ronaldo lands unwanted Euro 2024 tag after goalless campaign with Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has landed the unwanted “biggest flop” tag at Euro 2024, but the all-time great is being backed to make the 2026 World Cup.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo headed into an 11th major international tournament buoyed by a 50-goal season at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. He was, however, to draw a blank in Germany – with an extra-time penalty miss in a last-16 showdown with Slovenia leaving him in tears.
Ronaldo will not grace another Euros, as he will turn 40 in February 2025, and former France international William Gallas says he bowed out in forgettable style. The ex-Chelsea defender, who has previously faced CR7 in Premier League action, told Lord Ping when asked to name his biggest flop: “I’m going to get in trouble for saying this, and before I do, I have to state that this is a player who I completely respect. For his last Euro I wanted Ronaldo to shine in this competition because he deserves it after what he has done in football and for the example he has set for the younger players. Unfortunately, this time, it didn’t happen for him. Listen, I love him as a professional. I love his attitude and his desire. I love what he has achieved in his career, so it’s really difficult for me to label him the biggest flop at Euro 2024, but the performances just haven’t been there.
“It's difficult for me to single him out. Everybody will say he's 39, but I think football fans from around the world expected more from him at this tournament. We wanted to see him do something special at his last Euros, and it would have been a brilliant story and a brilliant way to celebrate his legendary career. Unfortunately, he didn't score one goal and it looked like he was playing with too much pressure on his shoulders. In the end, it was really hard for him. He wasn’t the only star that didn’t shine brightly at this tournament. [Kylian] Mbappe hasn’t performed. Harry Kane hasn’t been at his best.”
While Ronaldo is approaching the end of his remarkable career, Gallas believes that he has one more tournament left in him. He added on the Portuguese GOAT making more history: “I think that Cristiano Ronaldo will still go to the World Cup in 2026, but whether he is a starter for Portugal is a big doubt. After his performances at the Euros, I think it will be very difficult for him to be in the starting eleven of Portugal’s best team. I can definitely see him there. I think he wants to finish his career as the only player in history to have played at six World Cups and six European Championships, he’s done the last bit and I expect him to do the first. After he struggled at this tournament, it would be very difficult for Roberto Martinez to persevere with him as Portugal’s leading striker.”
Ronaldo has already shattered records by earning 212 caps for Portugal and scoring 130 goals. There is no suggestion of him considering retirement any time soon, which means that more outings on domestic and international stages should be expected.
