Cristiano Ronaldo is set to embrace a new challenge at Euro 2024 – potentially entering the fray from the bench rather than commanding his usual starting role with Portugal.
The legendary forward, who boasts an impressive tally of 130 goals and 46 assists in 207 appearances for Portugal, has been a pillar of strength for the national team over the years. With Euro 2024 possibly marking his final bow on the international stage, former Manchester United team-mate Wes Brown shed light on the altered role Ronaldo might assume during the tournament.
Speaking on Reach’s new Euro Thrash podcast – which you can find on YouTube, Apple and Spotify – Brown said: “I think he will start, but ultimately I don’t think he’s going to play the whole game. I think he’ll understand that. He’s a great player to have coming off the bench, someone who is a shoo-in for goals, with his scoring record.
“It is as simple as that. I do think he will play a different role. And it will be good for him to not play a game. He will just come on for 20 minutes, and then see how far they can get.”
Brown, who clinched two Champions League titles and five Premier League crowns with United, also highlighted that Ronaldo would likely refrain from openly criticising Portugal manager Roberto Martinez over such a decision, out of mutual “respect” between the two, reports the Mirror.
Brown added: “You’ve got to respect the manager and the manager will respect Ronaldo. It’s as simple as that with what he’s achieved in football, and they will have that discussion at some point. So I don’t think you’ll see fallouts on TV because that is what people will be talking about. That will all be done behind closed doors and before the tournament starts.”
Ronaldo’s international career with Portugal has been marked by numerous highlights, including the triumphant Euro 2016 victory over France. Yet, a moment that remains etched in controversy occurred when Ronaldo, then a Manchester United player, came up against club team-mate Wayne Rooney in their World Cup quarter-final in 2006.
The infamous incident saw Rooney receive a red card for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho during the quarter-final clash with Portugal, which ended in penalty shootout heartbreak for England. Ronaldo’s animated appeal to the referee and subsequent wink to the Portugal bench sparked outrage among fans, as it seemed to suggest satisfaction at Rooney’s red in the pivotal match.
However, Brown shared with Euro Thrash that the duo didn’t let a single argument disrupt their return to their clubs. He stated: “It’s football and you do things in the heat of the moment. And you know what never happened? There was never one argument. They just knew to get back to the club and to be the best players in the world. And we just got on with it.
“The press took a lot out of it, but them two as individuals just got on with it because there’s no point in keeping on with stuff when it’s gone. Obviously Wayne would have been disappointed at the time. But when they all got back two, three, four weeks later, it had all gone by then.”
He then added: “It was two lads and one was trying to get the other one sent off. It’s as simple as that. And then winking just to say, ‘cheers mate, I see you in a few weeks back at the club’. That’s honestly what happened and they just got on with it.”