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Cristiano Ronaldo Basks In The Euro 2016 Limelight For All The Right Reasons
Cristiano Ronaldo's towering header meant a lot more than just putting Portugal in front against Wales.
July 8th, 2016 | 10:50 AM | 1222 views
Portuguese
As the ball nestled in the net for the goal that took Portugal to the Euro 2016 final, its scorer, a player who can do things many others cannot, did what almost everyone else in the Stade de Lyon was doing: Cristiano Ronaldo fixed his eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Just above the corner, in which the Portuguese star celebrated his 50th-minute header against Wales, was a giant screen and the 31-year-old took a very conspicuous look at it as he embraced his teammates. There he was in the middle of it; the centre of attention once again, the main attraction. It was fully justified.
If self-absorbed behaviour like that is the kind of the thing that brings Ronaldo criticism, the most relevant point following his match-winning display is that it's now almost impossible to criticise his international record. It's also impossible not to admire how he has responded to a tournament that started badly for him.
Ronaldo has delivered Portugal to just the second final in their history -- he was also part of the side that made the Euro 2004 final -- and has stepped up. Further, his latest goal equalled Michel Platini's tournament record of nine. It would be fitting if he broke it by scoring to break his country's international trophy drought in Sunday's final; he certainly looks in the form to do so.
The Portuguese captain's mood was a world away from the embittered comments that caused such controversy after the 1-1 draw with Iceland and his performance level even further removed from the missed penalty and series of wasted chances in a 0-0 draw against Austria.
Ronaldo rose above it all, as was so gloriously symbolised by the way the ball hit the net before he even landed from the majestically powerful jump that allowed him to head home Raphael Guerreiro's cross so emphatically.
Throughout the game, this was a player in his best form and, after it, Ronaldo had the self-assured look and sound of a man, who knew that was the case and was rather pleased with himself. However, it would be wrong and unfair to reduce this to a discussion of ego and how it drives him.
For there was genuine, endearing child-like happiness, as he returns to the fixture in which he last played as a 19-year-old, reduced to tears by his side's 2004 defeat against Greece. There were only wide smiles this time, and it wasn't all about him either; Ronaldo seemed so proud of his team and the work they did together.
"I am very happy," he said after the game. "I am very proud of all my teammates. Me and the boys have always dreamed of being there. Now it's almost there. I've always dreamed of winning something for Portugal and now it's just one step away. Dreaming is free so let's keep dreaming. It's what we have dreamt of since the beginning. The players deserve it, the coach deserves it. The entire medical staff as well. They have been doing an excellent job with the players' fitness. We haven't won anything yet as I said a few days ago, but the dream is still alive."
Portugal have scored eight times in this tournament and, with three goals and three assists, Ronaldo has been directly involved in six of them; three minutes after he scored against Wales, it was Ronaldo's effort that Nani diverted home to double the lead.
But while his group-stage form was inconsistent, in the knockout rounds his has been a more rounded contribution. Against Wales, Ronaldo offered intelligent and measured touches, always bringing the play on and without the self-indulgence for which he has been infamous.
This display followed his words of encouragement to Joao Moutinho ahead of the quarterfinal penalty shootout against Poland. Ronaldo seems to have grown into a captain, rather than just being named one.
Even his much-criticised free kicks were more impressive against Wales and he went thrillingly close with one supreme second-half effort.
Ronaldo could have one of the best years of his career in terms of trophies but, until Wednesday, had been somewhat underwhelming in terms of personal performance at key moments. For example, he did not score in either the Champions League semifinal or final and was poor in the latter vs. Atletico Madrid, before netting the decisive shootout penalty.
Early in Euro 2016 his contributions were intermittent but that changed with this most recent performance. Ronaldo ran everything against Wales and looked so dangerous throughout. It took a ridiculous James Collins headlock to try and stop him in the first half, but there was nothing to hold him back in the second.
The fact he equalled Platini's record is also testimony to his perseverance and will. Granted, the Frenchman scored all of his goals in one tournament -- 1984 -- but Ronaldo shouldn't be criticised for staying so good over 12 years.
His goal against Wales was also his first in an international semifinal since Portugal's opener against Netherlands in 2004. Ronaldo referenced that tournament, and specifically the disappointment he felt at its conclusion, after this latest game.
"Euro 2004 was special; I was just 19 and it was my first tournament. Now we are in the final again and we hope we will win it," he said. "I hope that [after the final] we'll be smiling and that it will be tears of joy in the end. I've always said my dream was to win a trophy with Portugal. We're closer to doing it and I believe that we'll win.
Ronaldo also spoke of Portugal's belief and said "it's better to start poorly and have a positive ending." His own Euro 2016 campaign is the ultimate proof of that.
It was all about Ronaldo once again, but in the right way, for he had risen above it all.
Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC
by Miguel Delaney
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