"Will be the one to show his face and take the team to the right place" - Quaresma on what he expects from Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024
Portuguese former forward Ricardo Quaresma expects Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the national team from the front at the upcoming Euro 2024 in Germany. Ronaldo will make his sixth European Championships appearance this summer, and his former teammate expects him to lead the country's charge yet again.
Quaresma and Ronaldo broke into the Portuguese national team at the same time after emerging from Sporting CP's academy. Both players made their Portugal debuts in 2003. While Quaresma retired in 2022 after his spell at Vitoria de Guimaraes, Ronaldo is currently plying his trade with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Quaresma also played alongside Ronaldo at three of his five previous European Championship appearances, winning the tournament in 2016 in France.
In a recent interview, Quaresma shared his expectations from Ronaldo at the upcoming Euro 2024. He said (via Noticias ao Minuto):
"What I expect from him is what he has always done. Lead the team forward and, if those less good moments happen during the European Championship, he will be the one to try to resolve it together with the other great players he has at his side. Above all, he will be the to show his face and take the team to the right place. We all know how competitive he is, even more so in my opinion it should be the last European Championship he will play and he will enjoy it to the fullest."
Portugal will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Czechia on Tuesday, June 18, at the Red Bull Arena. They have been drawn in Group F alongside Czechia, Georgia, and Turkiye.
Cristiano Ronaldo set to break more records at Euro 2024
Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo will play in what is likely to be his final European Championships in a few days at Euro 2024 in Germany.
The Real Madrid legend is the highest goalscorer in the history of the Euros, bagging 14 goals in 25 appearances in the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo has also made the most appearances (64) and scored the most goals (50) when the qualifying stages are included. At Euro 2024, Ronaldo will break the record for most European Championships participated in with six finals appearances. He will also become the oldest player to feature in the tournament's history, breaking Lothar Matthäus' record set in 2000.