The old ‘who’s better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo’ debate still rumbles on, and will no doubt echo long into the future when both players have retired. It’s a tedious argument that causes unnecessary division among football fans who should simply be revelling in the treat of having two of the greatest players in the history of the game playing at the same time.
Both have achieved great things at club level, but on the international stage, Ronaldo just holds the edge in terms of silverware. Portugal were unfancied heading into Euro 2016, and failed to impress in the group stage of that competition, squeezing through to the last 16 without a single win to their name.
While they were far from the best team at that tournament, they had one advantage: the mere presence of Ronaldo, an inspirational figurehead capable of producing moments of magic, as he did in the semi-final with a bullet header against Wales. Although he was forced off the field early in the final against France, his teammates stayed resolute and Eder’s extra-time winner made Ronaldo’s dream come true – a dream he surely thought had been crushed for good following their defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final 12 years prior.
As another European Championship rolls around, Portugal will again be outsiders in the odds on Euro 2020, in terms of defending their crown. Of course, the team enter the tournament as both European Champions and Nations League Champions, having beaten the Netherlands to win the title in 2019. Ronaldo played no part in the league phase of that competition, but was instrumental in the finals, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final to set up the showpiece against the Dutch.
Before 2016, Ronaldo’s international career had been marked by disappointment. Euro 2004 was seen as Portugal’s big chance for international success. They possessed a squad with a good blend of youth and experience, and with home advantage on their side, it was the perfect opportunity to make a statement on the big stage.
Despite losing to Greece in their opening game, Portugal got back on track to reach the final, but Greece once again got the better of them to snatch the trophy out of the hosts’ hands. Another near miss followed at the 2006 World Cup, where Portugal lost 1-0 to France in the semi-finals. After that, it was disappointment after disappointment, with limp displays at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a player used to success in his club career, accustomed to playing with the best players in the world and getting good results. It always seemed like he felt held back in a Portugal shirt, as though his talent wasn’t able to fully flourish when surrounded by teammates of lesser quality.
But Ronaldo has excelled in how he has adapted to what has been asked of him when representing Portugal. He has become an inspirational captain for his country, providing a central point for the team in many different ways.
This was evident in the Euro 2016 Final. Instead of being rendered impotent by Ronaldo’s injury, the rest of the team seemed to rally. They were given an extra motivational edge in terms of getting the job done for their captain.
The best players deserve the success that comes their way. While major international success has eluded Messi in his career, Ronaldo can at least boast a couple of titles in which he can take great pride. You can bet he’ll be giving his all to defend Portugal’s title when Euro 2020 kicks off in June.
