Lisbon (AFP)
The star Cristiano Ronaldo has paled: eliminated from the Euro by Belgium on Sunday (1-0), the Portuguese star failed in his mission to retain the European title won in 2016 and to apply for a sixth Ballon d'Or.
And at 36, the years go by ...
Released in the round of 16, as three years ago at the 2018 World Cup against Uruguay (2-1), "CR7" did not achieve the European double he dreamed of to equal Spain, crowned at the 'Euro-2008 and Euro-2012.
The star of Juventus Turin and his teammates did not honor their status as reigning European champions, as they had somehow extricated themselves from a very tough Group F with Germany, world champion France and Hungary.
Despite his double in the inaugural victory against the Hungarians (3-0), his goal against Germany in an ultimately inconsequential defeat (4-2), then his double from the penalty spot against the Blues (2-2) , Ronaldo failed at the worst time: at the time of the knockout matches.
Precious but insufficient to qualify his team for the quarterfinals and to extend the Portuguese stranglehold on European football, initiated at Euro-2016 and extended in 2019 with a trophy in the League of Nations.
His powerful free kick was boxed by Thibaut Courtois (25th) and his attempts did not hit the mark, in a match where the Belgian defense muzzled the Portuguese attack.
- Meter stopped -
Faced with this unfulfilled collective mission, Cristiano Ronaldo could have consoled himself with the individual goals.
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The five-time Ballon d'Or made history by playing at least one meeting in five different Euros and then becoming the top scorer in the history of the competition (14 goals) by exceeding nine goals for Frenchman Michel Platini.
He also matched the 109 goals of Iranian Ali Daei, becoming the co-holder of the world record for goals scored in the selection ... without managing to double it on Sunday.
Likewise, with 179 caps, he couldn't overtake Spaniard Sergio Ramos (180) as the most capped European player in the national team.
- Excluding the Ballon d'Or race -
Without a major title with Juventus at the end of a disappointing season, Cristiano Ronaldo ends his campaign without any real argument to claim a new Ballon d'Or.
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The conquests of the Italian Cup and Super Cup as well as the title of Serie A top scorer with 29 goals should not be enough to make him regret a trophy that he has not won since 2017.
The main European candidates, such as the French N'Golo Kanté or Kylian Mbappé or the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, remain in contention to win the Euro.
And, on the other side of the Atlantic, the Argentinian Lionel Messi and the Brazilian Neymar, can score points during the Copa America which is currently taking place in Brazil.
As for Ronaldo, the appointment with Portugal was missed and he now has to look to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where, soon to be 38, he will no doubt dream of finding the light ... and delaying Twilight.
© 2021 AFP