Still scoring, but less soap opera: Cristiano Ronaldo enters Euro 2024

Roberto Martínez does not bow to every whim of his superstar No 7 as forward’s career draws to a close.

STILL HERE: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Ireland. Pic: Luis Vieira, AP

After all the years of propping up Portugal, there is no more of Cristiano Ronaldo putting the national team on his back. Now, he is well into his victory lap. “Your happiness is our happiness, captain,” was Sport TV’s caption to a reel of his best bits from last week’s 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland. 

In previous tournaments, Ronaldo’s every micro-move was replete with nuance, potentially a gamechanger, but there is now less of a daily soap opera feel around the team. “I see quite a calm team, I don’t see anyone anxious,” Ronaldo told reporters on the squad’s arrival at their Euro 2024 base in Germany.