Fallouts on TV & ‘different role’? What to expect from Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024 as record-breaking Portuguese GOAT enters 11th international tournament

The five-time Ballon d’Or may be part of the long-running GOAT conversation, alongside eternal rival Lionel Messi, but there is no escaping the fact that he is now 39 years of age. Most players have hung up their boots long before reaching that age, but Ronaldo is still going strong in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.

Having hit 50 goals at club level in 2023-24 and has 130 for his country through 207 appearances, Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down. However, former Manchester United team-mate Wes Brown has told the Euro Thrash podcast of what CR7 should expect from another European Championship quest: “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.”

Ronaldo, who is entering his 11th major international tournament, has never been one to settle for second best or a standing outside of the limelight. Brown is, however, confident that any debates regarding bench duty at Euro 2024 will be kept away from the cameras. He added on the potential for drama in Germany: “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.”

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has continued to talk up Ronaldo’s value to his cause – which suggests that he will have a leading role to play this summer – with the evergreen frontman bagging a brace in his final warm-up outing against the Republic of Ireland.