 |
|
November 23, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo's impact in the Portugal's National Team remains significant, with a perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying. Portugal boasts a strong, balanced team, making them big contenders for the upcoming EURO 2024...
When playing a key role in Portugal's Euro 2016 success in France 7 years ago, very few pundits and experts would have predicted that Cristiano Ronaldo would still be at the forefront of the Portuguese National Team. However, with 10 goals in 9 international games in the calendar year of 2023, Ronaldo's impact for Portugal remains as telling as ever and he and his national team do look to be one of the front runners for glory in Germany next summer. Now plying his trade at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, plenty of detractors are looking to pick holes in the domestic game of CR7 but he continues to prove the doubters wrong, and his goals have enabled Portugal to be the only team to possess a perfect record in qualifying for the Euro 2024. Goals remain the ultimate currency for Ronaldo however, who has a better than a goal a game record for both club and country this season and despite being 38 years of age, he looks as sprightly as ever, in this effervescent Portugal side.
Cristiano Ronaldo - All goals for Portugal in 2023:
For many players, watching on as old foe Lionel Messi picked up the Ballon d'Or gong in 2023 would have been dispiriting but in true Ronaldo fashion, CR7 has simply used the accolade as further motivation to pursue his own goals.
When leaving Manchester United last year under a cloud, the knives were out for Ronaldo who was in the opinion of many, dialling it in by heading out to Saudi Arabia – collecting a big pay cheque and going through the motions.
However, this has simply not been the case, with Ronaldo being a key player for an Al Nassr side that are going well in the Saudi Arabian Super League and the Asian Champions League.
In addition, Ronaldo, as he has been throughout his career, has become a real trend setter in relation to football in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf area and there have been a whole host of players that have followed the Portuguese great out to sunnier climbs to ply their trade.
The likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez are all operating in the Saudi Arabian Premier League, and it would appear that if it is good enough for Ronaldo, it is good enough for the rest.
Consequently, with the status of the Saudi Arabian league growing internationally and with Ronaldo continuing to have a big impact with the Portuguese National Team, he is still being touted as one of the best players in the world, despite the fact he is motoring towards his 40th birthday.
The impact that Cristiano Ronaldo has had on Portuguese football can never be truly mentioned and in winning the 2016 European Championships, Ronaldo has forever etched his name into the folklore of football in his homeland.
No player in international football history has scored more goals for their nation than Cristiano Ronaldo and he has spoken regularly about wanting to play international football for as long as possible.
As the only side that managed to win ten games from a possible 10 in Euro 2024 Qualifying, Portugal look to be back to their dangerous best and having Cristiano Ronaldo up front, terrorising defenders, is a huge part of that.
With the draw for Euro 2024 set to take place on December 2nd 2023, plenty of soccer betting sites will be eager to see who Portugal will need to overcome, as they chase their 2nd European Championship title.
Inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo will always pick up the plaudits and scrutiny, but Portugal look to have one of their most balanced sides in recent years, with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and João Felix all providing expert support for Ronaldo.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is just another problem opposition defences need to deal with, whilst João Paulinha in midfield is touting interest from the likes of Bayern Munich.
Defensively, Rúben Dias and João Cancelo are two high quality operators, whilst Diogo Costa from FC Porto in goal knows what it takes to win trophies at the very highest level.
Blended together, this Portugal team look to be one of the sides to beat at Euro 2024 and with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks – the ultimate man for the big occasion, who knows how far they could end up going in Germany at the EURO 2024?
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on November 24 for the Saudi Pro League, against Al Akhdoud. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud, Paris-Saint Germainvs AS Monaco, Rayo vs Barça, Man City vs Liverpool, Brentford vs Arsenal and Newcastle United vs Chelsea, all matches provided from our streaming football game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud kick-off time (24-11-2023):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 22:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 18:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / bbc.com / twitter.com
