When Bruno Fernandes tapped in for Portugal’s third in the 3-0 win over Turkey, it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s name being chanted by the adoring Selecao das Quinas faithful. It was his unselfishness which created the goal, laying it on a plate for Fernandes and snubbing the opportunity to score himself. The 39-year-old veteran would finish the match with two assists after helping a young pitch invader get a selfie, another moment which captured the imagination of the noisy Portugal faithful, and Ronaldo’s name rang around Signal Iduna Park once again.
He was less obliging with a second intruder, a third really took the biscuit, and by four, five and six, it was just plain silly. But it showed the ways in which Ronaldo continues to transcend football – and why some think it is a bit of a circus. This would only happen to him or Lionel Messi.
It is also why ex-Portugal manager Fernando Santos sparked such controversy by dropping the nation’s captain at the 2022 World Cup. And despite a second-consecutive match without a goal, there can be no doubt about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s enduring value to his nation, both in a sentimental and a practical sense. In truth, though, it is Ronaldo who is being assisted by Portugal at Euro 2024 .
More specifically, the captain is constantly helped by two teammates: Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. They do all the running so that this version of Ronaldo doesn’t have to – and in many ways – he is perfect for this outstandi.
