CRISTIANO RONALDO has sparked more gasps of amazement than most — yet this was a jaw-dropper with a difference.
Yet, for once, it wasn’t a rub-your-eyes wonder goal or flash of genius . . . but when the Portugal skipper handed Bruno Fernandes a tap-in rather than smash international goal No 131.
Ever since Ronaldo’s selfless set-up, for the second goal in a 3-0 win over Turkey, the soccer psychologists have been scratching their heads.
Some insist it was because he wanted to set a new Euros record for assists, others reckon it was for Fernandes’ daughter Matilde, whose name is stitched on his boots.
Yet another believes it is all part of the new-look Ronaldo, who has become the ultimate team player rather than the one-man show of old.
Much-travelled Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal is well known to English fans, with Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea just two of the clubs on his CV.
Carvalhal is convinced Ronaldo’s megabucks switch to Saudi Arabia last year is the reason behind his all-change approach.
For he thinks swapping pressure-cooker European football for Al-Nassr has put new life into those 39-year-old legs — to the point he now accepts he doesn’t have to be the star of the show.
Carvalhal insisted: “I think going to Saudi was the best decision he could make because now he is more relaxed, not under so much pressure and enjoying himself.
“This is a different player, whose contribution to the team is better.
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals.
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“In the friendly against Ireland before the Euros, his body image was saying, ‘Here I am, I want to help my country’.
Cristiano was much more involved in building the attack, not just wanting to be the one who scored the goals when he got near the box.
“He is intelligent and knows he doesn’t have the capacity to beat a defender in a one-on-one in the same explosive way as the past. He can do but it’s not really his game any more.
“You can see he is offering more in the build-ups. He is clever and has adapted to help the team.
“His own performance is obviously crucial to him, he’s a competitive animal, and is still scoring.
“The goals, assists and number of games he has played are the same as when he was in Europe, too, so he certainly isn’t frustrated.
“It doesn’t mean he won’t carry on scoring for Portugal. If you’re an opponent, you don’t want to be facing a thirsty, competitive, very confident Cristiano — and he is.”
It is a hunger which has brought a record-breaking 130 goals in 210 games for his country.
In the final Group F game against Georgia, Ronaldo’s passion was clear to see.
He was fuming with the ref for not giving a penalty when his shirt was pulled and his complaints earned him a yellow.
Boss Roberto Martinez perhaps surprisingly did not opt to rest Ronaldo in that game, which ended up in a 2-0 defeat.
They have such a deep squad that the days when Portugal’s fortunes were determined by captain Ronaldo’s form are long gone.
Tonight against Slovenia in the last 16, Ronaldo will be looking to add to his Euros goals tally of 14.
Carvalhal added: “Portugal are definitely one of the favourites.”
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