{"id":190711,"date":"2024-06-19T09:06:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/06\/19\/why-symbol-ronaldo-remains-portugals-star-draw\/"},"modified":"2024-06-19T09:06:49","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:06:49","slug":"why-symbol-ronaldo-remains-portugals-star-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/06\/19\/why-symbol-ronaldo-remains-portugals-star-draw\/","title":{"rendered":"Why \u2018symbol\u2019 Ronaldo remains Portugal\u2019s star draw \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
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All eyes had been on 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up to Portugal\u2019s European Championship opener against the Czech Republic but, not for the first time in Germany, it was a youngster who stole the headlines.<\/p>\n
\u2018Ronaldo 7\u2019 shirts had been everywhere in Leipzig before the game, as fans prepared to welcome the veteran forward\u2019s record appearance at a sixth European Championship.<\/p>\n
They were no doubt hoping he would mark it with a goal but it was not to be and instead it was Francisco Conceicao \u2013 18 years Ronaldo\u2019s junior \u2013 who snatched the dramatic winner as Portugal began their Group F campaign with a 2-1 victory.<\/p>\n
It was practically his first touch after coming on for his competitive debut, and former England striker Alan Shearer was delighted with his contribution.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are sent on to change the game and to do something,\u201d he said on BBC One. \u201cYou have to make an impact as a sub.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a story,\u201d ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was me saying: \u2018What can you do in three minutes as a substitute?\u2019 He got a bit of luck with the deflection but he wasn\u2019t going to miss that.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a memorable moment for Conceicao, son of former Portugal player Sergio, and it was one that he celebrated with a delighted Ronaldo, who punched the air and high-fived his team-mates.<\/p>\n
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said the youngster deserved his winning moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrancisco is the ultimate example of earning it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe deserves to be here and showed he is ready to help the group. He showed character and showed his worth because he was allowed to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
A changing of the guard?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
At 39, Ronaldo is into his final years of playing at the highest level, although his team-mate Pepe\u2019s appearance at 41 will give him belief he has a couple of major tournaments in him yet.<\/p>\n
His\u00a0critics argue\u00a0his place in the starting XI holds Portugal back, that he becomes the focal point and has a negative impact on the forward line\u2019s mobility.<\/p>\n
But speaking to Portugal fans in Leipzig before Tuesday\u2019s game, it is clear the majority feel otherwise.<\/p>\n
One fan described him as still \u201cthe best in the world\u201d, while another, Marta, said Ronaldo\u2019s contribution to the team goes beyond what he does on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is still important because he has the motivation and the spirit and he unites the team,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven for outside the team he is important. He is like a symbol that unites all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite failing to score against the Czech Republic, he did have chances. He was twice denied in the first half by goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek, before seeing a header deflected wide after the break.<\/p>\n
He remains a star draw and when Portugal had a free-kick 25 yards from goal, fans were on their feet with camera phones at the ready, only to see Ronaldo\u2019s effort comfortably caught by Stanek.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo experience important for Portugal \u2013 Fernandes<\/h2>\n
But for his team-mates, the experience he can offer outweighs the need for him to be scoring goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know that it is important to have experienced players, like Cristiano Ronaldo,\u201d said Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, Pepe is probably the most experienced in the entire tournament. We know they are vital to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some of the best to have played the game, Ronaldo still has plenty to contribute at this level.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
\u201cWhatever you do, if Ronaldo plays well or the team plays well, he always finds a chance,\u201d former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas said on BBC One.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe takes care of himself to another level. He needs just one little moment of space to create a chance. His overall play has been much better than the last couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shearer, meanwhile, praised Ronaldo\u2019s desire, but suggested he might have to accept a reduced role in some games for the benefit of the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is key to whether Portugal can go on and win the competition, because if he accepts he cannot play 90 minutes every game that will go a long way to them winning this,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen waking up after games and having that desire to go again, when you are in pain, that hunger and desire to be the very best.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone speaks in glowing terms about his attitude, it is phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo had talked up this generation of Portugal players before the tournament, saying they deserved to go all the way and replicate the country\u2019s 2016 win.<\/p>\n
Those comments and his joyous response to Conceicao\u2019s winner suggest that he has the team\u2019s interests ahead of his own and, if that is the case, there is every reason to believe Portugal will go far in Germany.<\/p>\n
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