Doha, Qatar: As the knockout stages of Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 get underway, two of football's greatest legends, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have notably failed to score in the group stages, leaving fans wondering if it marks the end of an era for the duo who have dominated football for the past 20 years, winning a combined 13 Ballon d’Or awards. For the first time in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in any group stage match of an international tournament. Ronaldo has always found the net during group stages, including UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2012, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020.
During Portugal's group stage matches in Euro 2024, Ronaldo opted to assist his teammate Bruno Fernandes rather than score himself, which still highlighted his pivotal role in the team's strategy. Portugal topped their group and is set to face Slovenia in the round of 16. Ronaldo has been instrumental in Portugal’s international success, helping his country win the UEFA Nations League in 2018-2019 and the European Championship in 2016.
Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, also failed to score during the group stage of Copa America 2024, marking the third time in his career he has been scoreless in the group phases of major international tournaments. He has previously scored in the group stages of the 2006 FIFA Worl.