Euro 2024 Moment of the Day: Cristiano Ronaldo does what Cristiano Ronaldo (almost) never does

For two decades, he’s been doing this over and over again. Cristiano Ronaldo, running in behind: all the passes looking for him, finding him. That no. 7 shirt speeding away from a backline that’s on its heels. Him just being a step ahead of everyone else, in mind and in body. And once through one-on-one, it’s the decisiveness that has always stood out.

The Relentless Goalscoring Machine

Cristiano Ronaldo’s career has been defined by an almost mechanical precision and consistency in front of goal. From his early days at Sporting CP to his peak years at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo has been the epitome of a relentless goalscorer. His ability to get in behind defenses, his speed, his strength, and his clinical finishing have made him one of the greatest forwards of all time. Close your eyes and remember the Ronaldo you’ve seen: load up that highlight reel, goal-after-goal-after-goal melding into one relentless blur of shot-taking, net-bulging action.

A Moment of Infallibility

Consider, for instance, his performance in the 2013 World Cup qualifier playoff against Sweden. Ronaldo’s one-on-one situation against the Swedish defense, his teammate João Moutinho raising his hands in premature celebration even before the shot was taken—such was the inevitability of a Ronaldo goal. This is the image ingrained in the minds of football fans: Ronaldo, the goal machine, with an unwavering focus on scoring.

An Uncharacteristic Decision

On Saturday, however, something unusual happened. Facing Turkey in the Euro 2024 group stage, Ronaldo found himself in a familiar position. It was a shambolic defensive display from Turkey, with Ruben Neves playing a simple pass behind a high backline. Ronaldo, as he has done countless times before, raced through on goal. But this time, instead of taking the shot himself, he squared the ball to Bruno Fernandes for an easy tap-in. This decision to pass rather than shoot was a surprising deviation from Ronaldo’s typical play.

Ronaldo: The Assist King

This is not to say that Ronaldo never passed the ball. In fact, he holds the record for the most assists in Champions League history and now shares the record for the most assists in European Championship history. He has always had a keen eye for a good pass. However, in situations where he could shoot, especially during the peak of his goal-obsessed phase, he almost invariably chose to take the shot. The pass to Fernandes was thus remarkable not only because it was the correct decision tactically but also because it was so uncharacteristic of Ronaldo in such scenarios.

A Statement of Confidence

Ronaldo’s decision to pass rather than shoot was also significant given the context of his career. Now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is no longer in what he once termed the “top level” of football. Despite still scoring prolifically, he is facing opposition that is not of the same caliber he is used to. Moreover, there have been questions about his role in the Portugal national team, especially after a disappointing World Cup in Qatar and a lackluster performance in the first match of Euro 2024.

The Critics and the Questions

Ronaldo has traditionally answered his critics by scoring goals in abundance. His method has been simple: increase the frequency of shots, and the goals will follow. This tactic has worked more often than not. However, the decision to pass to Fernandes in a crucial game indicates a different kind of confidence. It was a statement that Ronaldo still has the composure and the self-assurance to make the right play for the team, even if it means forgoing a personal goal.

A Moment of Surprise

Cristiano Ronaldo’s unselfish play against Turkey was a moment of genuine surprise. In a career where he has been the focal point of every attack, this uncharacteristic assist demonstrated his evolution and adaptability as a player. It was a reminder that, despite his age and the shifting dynamics of his career, Ronaldo can still surprise us on the field. For this rare and unexpected act, Ronaldo’s assist to Fernandes earns the Moment of the Day for day 9 of Euro 2024.

 The Evolving Legend

As Portugal continues its Euro 2024 campaign, questions will remain about Ronaldo’s role and effectiveness against stronger teams. However, his performance against Turkey provided a glimpse into the versatility and maturity of one of football’s greatest players. Cristiano Ronaldo, the goalscoring machine, showed that he can still surprise and adapt, making him not just a relentless scorer but also a consummate team player. This moment of uncharacteristic brilliance adds yet another layer to the legend of Cristiano Ronaldo.

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