“This is not an U-10 game where the greedy kid takes all free-kicks” - Mark Ogden slams Cristiano Ronaldo after Euro 2024 first half vs Slovenia
ESNP football writer Mark Ogden has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for demanding to take all of Portugal's free-kicks and squandering them in the first half of their Euro 2024 Round of 16 showdown in Frankfurt with Slovenia on Monday (July 1). The game is goalless at the break.
Despite Roberto Martinez's side bossing proceedings, they are yet to break the deadlock, with Ronaldo going close with a venomous free-kick and failing to connect with a few presentable chances.
One free-kick from the 39-year-old against Slovenia - from out wide - was way off-target, which Ogden might have alluded to as he tweeted, slamming Ronaldo for being 'greedy' to take all the free-kicks and not converting any of them:
"The Ronaldo show is becoming ridiculous now. Great player, one of the absolute best ever, but this is not an U-10 game where the greedy kid gets to take all the free-kicks and miss all the chances"
Ronaldo is still looking for his first goal in four games at UEFA Euro 2024 despite starting all four times. He did provide an assist in the 3-0 group-stage win over Turkey, which took the A Selecao through to the knockouts as group winners with a game to spare.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo chasing milestones galore at Euro 2024
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has already created history at the ongoing Euro 2024. By taking the field in the 2-1 win over the Czech Republic, he became the first player to appear in six editions of the Euros.
In the next game against Turkey, Ronaldo's assist to Bruno Fernandez for Portugal's third made him the joint top assist-provider in the competition, level with the Czech Republic's Karol Poborsky (eight).
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is looking to break Luka Modric's record of becoming the oldest scorer at the Euros and become the first player to score in six different editions of the competition.
After going through the group-stage goalless, Ronaldo marked the only such instance in 11 major tournament appearances (six Euros, five FIFA World Cups) in his illustrious career.