“Father time has caught up with him” - Cristiano Ronaldo told he wouldn’t get into England XI at Euro 2024 by Pundit
Former footballer Ally McCoist has opined that Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn't make the current England starting XI at Euro 2024.
Despite being considered one of the best footballers of the current generation, the Scotsman believes that age has caught up with the 39-year-old striker. However, the Al-Nassr sensation does start for his national team.
If he had to get into The Three Lions lineup, Ronaldo would have to start ahead of Harry Kane, who is coming off a brilliant season with Bayern Munich. The former Tottenham Hotspur man has scored 36 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances while netting eight times in the Champions League.
Speaking to BoyleSports, McCoist said (via GOAL):
"Saying Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn't play fo England, I think it's probably right. Five or 10 years ago he walked in and it would be him and 10 others, but father time has caught up to him, as it does to everybody."
"I think that's where he is at this moment in time, and I don't think he gets in the England starting 11."
Ronaldo has failed to score for Portugal in their opening two fixtures of Euro 2024. He will be looking to change that when his country take on Georgia in their final group stage match on Wednesday (June 26).
Despite his failure to find the net in this competition, the former Manchester United man has done exceedingly well for Al-Nassr this season, bagging 35 goals in 31 Saudi Pro League matches.
Roberto Martinez recently made claim over Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness to play full 90 minutes at Euro 2024
There were questions over whether Cristiano Ronaldo would play the full 90 minutes in Portugal's 3-0 win over Turkiye on Saturday (June 22). He ended up starting and completing the match, just like the attacker did for his team's first match at Euro 2024 against Czechia.
This could be a sign that Ronaldo will also start for Portugal when they play Georgia next. When asked about the former Real Madrid man's fitness, head coach Roberto Martinez said before their clash against Turkiye (via ESPN):
"Do you know how many minutes Cristiano played last season? He has experience, there was no other player in the history of football with six European Championships played."
Given that Martinez's team have qualified for the Round of 16, there is an opportunity to rest Ronaldo in their final group match. However, having yet to score, the five-time Ballon d'Or would certainly want to start if it were up to him.