Why ‘one in 60’ Cristiano Ronaldo record makes him a ‘weakness’ as Gary Lineker explains how Portugal superstar’s ego at Euro 2024 impacts Man Utd playmaker Bruno Fernandes

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored some spectacular goals when stood over set-pieces down the years, with his knuckleball approach from long distance becoming legendary. Consistency has, however, been lacking for club and country.

Ronaldo’s strike rate is phenomenal, but he can never be relied upon to hit the target – nevermind the the back of the net – when taking on free-kicks. Despite that, the 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward has continued to step up for Portugal at Euro 2024.

Questions have been asked of whether the all-time great is allowing ego to take over, with former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes considered to be a more reliable option over a dead-ball. Ex-England international Lineker has told The Rest Is Football podcast of Ronaldo dominating free-kick duty: “It is almost impossible, despite the fact his record is something like one in 60 that he’s scored in tournaments. Bruno Fernandes is a better free-kick taker and a more varied free-kick taker than Ronaldo. So while he’s [Ronaldo] a massive strength, he can also be a weakness as well.

“Nothing against Cristiano because what an unbelievable player. I was watching him and his movement in the box is absolutely perfect. He does it better than anybody else I’ve ever seen as a nine, the way he goes forward one way, then the other way. He does it with a sharpness. It’s more the ego side of him which is more of a weakness, probably for himself, Portugal and [head coach] Roberto [Martinez]. As a manager, you know you’ve got someone whose powers are waning and he’s 39, but he’s still Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a superstar. He is almost the most famous person on the planet, not just as a footballer.”

Ronaldo is yet to register a goal at Euro 2024, having missed an extra-time penalty in a last-16 showdown with Slovenia that left him in tears. He did, however, score in the final shootout of that contest – which means he will get another opportunity to break his duck when facing France in the quarter-finals on Friday.