"No Ronaldo goal tonight" "He's a liability" - Fans call out superstar's inclusion in Portugal XI as Cristiano Ronaldo leads team against Czechia
Portugal fans are conveying their fury on X after Roberto Martinez included Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate Bernardo Silva in the starting XI to face the Czech Republic. A Selecao kick off their Euro 2024 campaign at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig and will aim to start well in Group F later today (Tuesday, June 18).
After winning all 10 games and recording a flawless record during the Euro qualifiers, all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. They are the firm favorites to secure all three points against Czechia. They have won each of their last four games across all competitions against the latter - scoring 10 goals and conceding just one. Moreover, they have kept clean sheets in all their last three wins.
Diogo Costa starts in goal for Portugal. The defense consists of Ruben Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes, Diogo Dalot, and Joao Cancelo. Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha make up the midfield, while Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, and Cristiano Ronaldo start up front to complete the starting XI.
Fans are far from happy to see Manchester City's Bernardo Silva in the starting XI over the likes of Palhinha - who would've offered more stability in midfield. Despite helping the Cityzens win their fourth league title in a row this season, Silva hasn't managed to replicate his club form for Portugal. He has scored 11 goals in 89 appearances across all competitions.
One fan believes Cristiano Ronaldo won't score tonight because of Silva's inclusion, posting:
"BERNARDO SILVA AND DIAS STARTING? NO RONALDO GOAL TONIGHT..."
Another fan wrote:
"Not Bernardo silva.....he's a liability, he's a Pep system player..."
Other reactions can be viewed below:
"If Bernardo silva doesn’t turn up today he needs to sit out," one fan stated
"Today is the day Bernardo Silva gets called a system player," another said
"Wtf palhinha. Wtf Bernardo. Where is jota and palhinha man," one fan posted
"Bernardo should be benched" one fan insisted
Coach is so trash, Bernardo should be no where near," another added
"Maybe this game but this is a ro16 elimination if he continues this, Palhinha needs to get in for Bernardo," one fan chimed in
"Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of their weakest links" - Formr Czechia star makes bold claim on Portugal superstar ahead of Euro 2024 clash
Former Czech Republic international Karel Poborsky believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of Portugal's weakest links during Euro 2024 ahead of their clash against Czechia later tonight.
Ronaldo flourished for Al-Nassr this season, registering 44 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, despite being at the age of 39. This failed to change Poborsky's mind though as he told CTK (via GOAL):
“I have been saying for a long time that in that Ronaldo will be one of their weakest links. The fans of both teams will go crazy for him, but at his age he is not as good at building the game and pressing as his younger team-mates."
He added:
"So our team would rather him start. Hats off to him for what he has achieved – thanks to his enormous self-confidence. But you can’t stop age, he is 39. We don’t know how he is with coach Roberto Martinez, but it was written about before that his predecessor Fernando Santos already encountered a problem at the World Cup in Qatar.”
Cristiano Ronaldo will be partaking in his record sixth Euros tournament, having guided Portugal to glory at Euro 2016. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's experience will be vital for his teammates. He is the highest international goalscorer of all time with 130 goals in 207 appearances across all competitions.