'It's obvious' - Cristiano Ronaldo slammed by Portuguese media over national team performance

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to create headlines since Portugal's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Slovenia last Monday at Euro 2024.

The former Manchester United forward had a rollercoaster of an evening, after failing to convert a penalty in extra-time as Diogo Jota was brought down inside the area. Ronaldo, who was denied by Jan Oblak, broke down in tears and was consoled by United defender Diogo Dalot.

Most of his Portugal teammates went over to comfort him before the final 15 minutes of extra-time. After a goalless draw, Roberto Martinez's side won 3-0 on penalties with FC Porto's Diogo Costa stealing the show after a heroic performance as he saved three consecutive Slovenia penalties.

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Ronaldo later redeemed himself by scoring Portugal's first penalty and turning to the fans to apologise for the one he had missed, early on. After the game, Ronaldo took to X and wrote: "Inexplicable moments. Let's give it our all! Thank you," followed with the Portugal flag emoji.

The knockout game against Slovenia was Ronaldo's fourth start for Portugal in the Euros, though he is yet to score a goal in the tournament. With so many talented players in the squad, there were questions over whether it was time to drop the Portuguese star.

Discussing the 39-year-old's performance on CNN Portugal, journalist Sofia Oliveira said: "Let me just ask you one question about Cristiano Ronaldo, does anyone have any doubt that Ronaldo, today, is only a starter for the national team because of everything we owe to Ronaldo and not because of the player Ronaldo is today?

"But does anyone actually have any doubts about this? Because I can't understand it. Ronaldo has had a huge career but as I used to say, someone in the world of football, when you knock on the door, you don't ask who you were, you ask who it is, right?

"And today, Cristiano Ronaldo is not a player to be a starter for the Portugal national team, full stop. There's no doubt about that. Ronaldo is a starter for the national team because of the huge career he's had and the money he's given to the footballing federation and for his image, not for his quality.

"Why do we have to keep going round in circles? It's obvious everybody here agrees."