Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football's most iconic figures, finds himself at a crossroads as he heads into Euro 2024, reported by GOAL. Despite his undeniable scoring prowess, his first full season with Al-Nassr ended without any trophies. As Ronaldo prepares to lead Portugal in Germany, questions loom about his current form and ability to impact the biggest games.

Ronaldo’s stats with Al-Nassr are impressive. The Portuguese star netted 44 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, with 35 of those in the Saudi Pro League. This remarkable haul set a new league record and made Ronaldo the first player to win the Golden Boot in four different countries. “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” Ronaldo proudly stated on social media after breaking Abderrazak Hamdallah's record of 34 goals in a single season.

However, despite these individual achievements, Al-Nassr finished the season without any trophies. Ronaldo's arrival in January 2023, after a tumultuous exit from Manchester United, brought much fanfare but little success on the pitch. The club's inability to convert Ronaldo's goals into silverware has been a significant talking point.

Cristiano Ronaldo struggles in key matches

Ronaldo’s impact in crucial matches has diminished. Al-Nassr's season ended in heartbreak with a penalty shootout defeat to arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the Kings Cup final. Despite Ronaldo's efforts, including an overhead kick that hit the post and a successful penalty in the shootout, he couldn’t lead his team to victory. This loss marked Al-Nassr's third defeat to Al-Hilal in the season, underlining their dominance.

Saudi journalist Mohamed Al Skiekh attributed Al-Hilal's success to their team cohesion and strategy, implicitly criticizing Ronaldo's central role at Al-Nassr. “Within Al-Hilal, there is no player who considers himself the only star,” he remarked, suggesting that Ronaldo's prominence might be disrupting Al-Nassr's team dynamics.

Ronaldo's former playground, the Champions League, remains elusive in Asia. Al-Nassr suffered a quarter-final exit in the AFC Champions League against Al Ain. Ronaldo missed two crucial chances in the first leg and, although he scored a last-minute penalty in the second leg, it wasn’t enough to avoid elimination. Al Ain went on to win the competition, highlighting the gap between Ronaldo’s current club and continental success.

Luis Castro, Al-Nassr’s manager, has built the team around Ronaldo, but this has caused imbalance. Former Egypt star Mido criticized this approach, saying, “Ronaldo decides everything in the team. The team must be bigger than any one player.”

Cristiano Ronaldo's role with Portugal

Ronaldo’s form with Al-Nassr has implications for Portugal. Despite a poor showing at the 2022 World Cup, he remains central to Roberto Martinez’s plans. Ronaldo rewarded this faith by scoring 10 goals during Portugal's flawless European Championship qualifying campaign, though the competition level was relatively low.

Portugal’s recent friendly loss to Slovenia highlighted Ronaldo's struggles. With only one shot from open play, he spent much of the match arguing with officials and falling to the ground. As Portugal prepares to face Turkey, Georgia, and the Czech Republic in Group F, there are concerns about Ronaldo’s ability to lead effectively.

Ronaldo’s legendary career is at a critical juncture. As he heads into Euro 2024, the Portuguese star aims to prove he still has what it takes to be a decisive player on the big stage. However, if Portugal fails to impress, it might be time for the national team to consider moving on from their long-time talisman. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr seems committed to keeping Ronaldo at the center of their project, despite the lack of team success.

For Ronaldo, Euro 2024 offers a chance to silence his critics and add another chapter to his storied career. Whether he can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching.