Strong individual players do not make a good team. But when the two come together, as they did for the Portuguese, it could go a long way.
22.06.2024, 21:07
22.06.2024, 21:30
SDA
He is the first player to play in six European Championships. He is the Portuguese national team's record player and goalscorer with 209 games and 130 goals. And at 39 years and four months, he could have become the oldest goalscorer at a European Championship final. But he put the ball across. Many people must have rubbed their eyes in the 56th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo, alone in front of the Turkish goal, did not look for the finish but instead played in Bruno Fernandes, who was in a better position and was able to slot home to make it 3-0.
Not so long ago, Ronaldo, who had a reputation for being selfish, would probably have kept his blinkers on and finished himself. But at an advanced age and under coach Roberto Martinez, the superstar seems to have reformed.
"The most important thing is that we play as a team"
"Sure, everyone wants to score goals. But the most important thing is that we play as a team. Ronaldo played the ball to me, he immediately thought as a team," said goalscorer Fernandes. "It's about us winning and not about one or the other scoring a goal."
Portugal have one of the best squads of all the participants, not only in terms of quality but also in terms of depth. Switzerland terror Gonçalo Ramos and Barça jewel João Felix, for example, have yet to get any minutes of action at this tournament. It's good for those who have already qualified for the knockout round after two matchdays, who can rest their regular squad and lift the spirits of the reserves in the meaningless final group game.
