"The true GOAT" – Slovenia star sends message to Cristiano Ronaldo after recent Euro 2024 meeting
Slovenia and Udinese midfielder Sandi Lovric has lauded Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player of all time after a recent last-16 match at the UEFA Euro 2024.
Earlier past Monday (July 1), Portugal knocked Slovenia out of the Euro 2024 after beating them 3-0 on penalties. The knockout tie ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time as the five-time Ballon d'Or award winner failed to convert a penalty in the first half of extra-time.
After the end of the continental fixture, Lovric expressed his appreciation for the Al-Nassr attacker. He captioned his selfie on Instagram:
"With the true GOAT, @cristiano ⚽️"
However, Ronaldo's side failed to triumph in their next encounter at the Euro 2024. After playing out a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes of action against France, they lost the quarter-final clash 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward endured a difficult time in Germany, failing to score even once in five outings. The 39-year-old, however, laid out an assist in the tournament's group-stage.
Pundit slams Portugal coach for decision involving Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino slammed Portugal manager Roberto Martinez for not taking Cristiano Ronaldo off in Portugal's recent loss to France. He said (h/t Caught Offside):
"How can you justify it? How does Martinez as a coach, manager, justify keeping him on? He had nothing to say in that game. And you can say previous games, he backed him and talked very highly of what a great professional he was. But you're watching that game last night, and if he was a young lad, he'd have been hauled off at half time."
Cascarino, who scored eight goals in 45 games for Chelsea, added:
"I think as the days roll on, [Portugal's loss on penalties in the quarter-final] will be a huge disappointment. And I'm afraid he's played a part in the reason why they haven't got past France, the manager, because he indulged something that was hurting his team."
Ronaldo, who scored 44 goals in 45 matches across competitions for Al-Nassr last season, was a major talking point prior to Portugal's Euro 2024 exit. Both fans and pundits alike were critical of the forward's continued selection as Liverpool's Diogo Jota got mostly ignored.
France, on the other hand, will face Spain in their Euro 2024 semi-final encounter at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany this Tuesday (July 9).