Cristiano Ronaldo feels at dwelling once more.
It solely took him two video games to make his peace with the Portugal nationwide workforce and present that he has but to impress at worldwide stage.
In his comeback after a disappointing World Cup and Saudi soccer’s controversial transfer, the 38-year-old Ronaldo scored 4 targets in Portugal’s first two video games in 2024 European Championship qualifying, displaying he stays the chief followers have come to put on. it used. Red and inexperienced uniform of the nationwide workforce.
Ronaldo scored twice in a 6-0 defeat in opposition to Luxembourg on Sunday, three days after scoring one other brace in a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, as he turned the male participant with essentially the most worldwide appearances with 197. Went.
2 video games, 2 wins! Purpose achieved. It is a pleasure to contribute to this very optimistic begin of our choice. Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/mLmlAVGFiU
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) March 26, 2023
“Two games, two wins,” the Portugal captain mentioned on his social media accounts after the win in Luxembourg.
“Pleased to contribute to a really optimistic begin by our nationwide workforce. Go on.” The targets got here in opposition to the European minnows however appeared to be sufficient to revive Ronaldo’s confidence and his function as a starter with the nationwide workforce.
Ronaldo final walked off the sector with Portugal within the World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco in Qatar final yr when he was benched by then-coach Fernando Santos within the knockout stage.
Weeks that begin like this will solely finish properly 😁 Good morning Portuguese individuals! #VesteABandeira
What a approach to begin the week 😁 Good morning everybody! #Put onTheFlag pic.twitter.com/UE6MQVbo0f
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 27, 2023
A disappointing World Cup, added to his resolution to simply accept a profitable deal from Saudi membership Al Nassr, had thrown his future with the nationwide workforce into doubt. He mentioned final week he was unsure he would ever play at worldwide stage once more and solely returned after reflecting together with his household and feeling it was not but time to “throw in the towel”.
The arrival of coach Roberto Martínez to exchange Santos after the World Cup was additionally more likely to play an element in his resolution to proceed enjoying. The Spaniard pledged to respect Ronaldo’s historical past, and the star ahead mentioned he welcomed a “breath of fresh air” into the nationwide workforce.
Martinez mentioned he was thrilled with the perspective proven by Ronaldo within the coach’s first two video games in cost.
“Ronaldo is a unique player and brings a lot of experience to the locker room,” mentioned the previous Belgium coach.
“He is a reference and is ready to be a leader and a captain of this national team.” With his 4 targets at the beginning of the Martinez period, Ronaldo prolonged his worldwide scoring report to 122 targets, 13 greater than former Iran striker Ali Daei.
Ronaldo’s 198th worldwide look on Sunday took him two forward of Kuwait’s Badr Al-Mutawa.
Portugal, the 2016 European champion, performs its subsequent two matches in June in opposition to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland. The workforce leads Group J in Euro 2024 qualifying with six factors, two greater than Slovakia. The high two finishers in every group will advance to the match in Germany subsequent summer time.
And if Ronaldo remains to be pleased and motivated, he will certainly attempt to assist Portugal win one other European trophy.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
