Does Euro 2016 represent Cristiano Ronaldo's last hope of international glory?

Does Euro 2016 represent Cristiano Ronaldo’s last hope of international glory?

Let’s face it – to go down as a totally undisputed legend of the Beautiful Game, you simply have to do the business on the international scene, as well as domestically.

 

Diego Maradona won his nation the World Cup trophy almost single-handedly during his own respective era, Pele also developed most of his notorious fame with Brazil – and although Johan Cruyff never actually achieved the ultimate glory with Holland during the 1970’s – he at least came extremely close to doing so on several different occasions.

 

Therefore, whilst the modern game is admittedly a little more driven by money spinning domestic ventures such as the Champions League and what not, the overall legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately rests upon his ability to make it with Portugal on the grandest stage of all.

 

He may have all the necessary goal-scoring statistics to back his cause upon eventually retiring from the sport – but as nothing quite beats the mental image of seeing a triumphant captain of his nation lifting a major trophy above his head in victorious style – the 30-year-old Portuguese front-man seemingly hasn’t achieved every accolade the sport of football has to offer.

 

So then, as his team have already booked their place at the competition next summer, does Euro 2016 represent Cristiano Ronaldo’s last real chance at international glory?

 

This particular Euro 2016 preview believes it does. The former Old Trafford favourite and current darling of the Bernabeu came close to achieving great success with Portugal during what turned out to be a rather ill-fated attempt at winning Euro 2004 on home soil. As Ronaldo and co. were successfully seen off by Greece in the end, the notorious no. 7 still has it all to do on the international scene.

 

Doing so this time around however, will seemingly prove a task much easier said than done. Relevant Euro 2016 betting tips could easily shun the Portuguese next summer in light of their recent international struggles. Fernando Santos’ side have failed to cover themselves in much glory of late – with Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately going down as one of the biggest disappointments of the entire 2014 World Cup two summers ago.

 

The Real Madrid star seemed a complete shadow of his usual self when wearing his national colours – and although the rest of the Portuguese squad were distinctly short of quality in the cold light of day – Ronaldo really didn’t look like the so-called best player in the world in Brazil.

 

In reality, his passing simply left a great deal to be desired, he wasn’t the normal goal threat he seemingly proves at the Bernabeu time and time again, and when it came to galvanizing the rest of his teammates from a captain’s point of view – the 30-year-old wasn’t all that impressive to say the very least.

 

At his age right in the here and now, it remains hard to imagine Cristiano Ronaldo turning out for Portugal for a great deal longer. He seems like a petulant sort of player who can only really get going when everything is working in his own individual favour. Without enough genuine world class quality to set him up in and around the penalty box – as he enjoys with Real Madrid on almost every given occasion – the Portuguese national side simply looks rather flat and uninteresting, even with the team built solely around the exploits of a certain no. 7.

 

Even though he could well represent his nation one last time at the 2018 World Cup a few years down the line, this Euro 2016 prediction places next summer’s official tournament as the last real opportunity for Ronaldo to truly impress whilst playing for Portugal.

 

If he eventually fails to do the business in France next year however, Ronaldo will simply have to go down as an undisputedly brilliant club player who nevertheless couldn’t turn it on at international level. When push comes to shove, such an analysis doesn’t hold true when regarding a so called 'legend' of the modern game.

 

So then, even though Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a glistening footballing CV so far in his career, his inability to make it with Portugal places Euro 2016 in a distinctly important category for the confident attacker. From a Portuguese point of view, it really will be make or break for the 30-year-old when the competition finally arives next summer…

 

Portugal are currently 20/1 to win Euro 2016 outright next summer with Bet 365

 

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Thatsagoal.com Team

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