Euro 2024: Czech Republic Star Calls Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT Ahead of Group Game vs Portugal

• Cristiano Ronaldo has earned rave reviews from Czech Republic defender, David Zima, who described him as the GOAT
• The Slavia Prague centre-half will come face-to-face with Ronaldo when Portugal face Czechia in their Group F opening game
• CR7 has a good goal-scoring record against The Locomotive and would want to continue in a similar fashion when they meet in Leipzig

Czech Republic defender, David Zima, has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT) ahead of his side's Group F opening match against Portugal on Tuesday, June 18.

Zima conferred the GOAT title on Ronaldo during a discussion with teammate Mojmir Chytil about the sport's greatest player.

While Chytil chose Lionel Messi, the Slavia Prague centre-back favoured the Portuguese star, weighing in on the ongoing GOAT debate among fans and players alike.

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In the pre-match press conference for Tuesday's clash, Chytil was asked if he feared facing Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old, who scored 21 goals across all competitions last season, revealed he was more concerned about facing Ronaldo's arch-rival, Messi.

Czech star picks Ronaldo as GOAT

However, Zima disagreed with his compatriot, placing CR7 ahead of the 2022 World Cup winner.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world, and he still is today," he boldly claimed, as cited by Sportskeeda.

Despite their differing opinions on the football GOAT, both Czech stars agreed on making things difficult for Cristiano and his Portugal teammates on June 18.

"I am really looking forward to the match and maybe we can give him a bitter feeling at the end."

Zima also conveyed their self-belief and optimism about the match's outcome.

"We believe in ourselves. We really want to win the match, although a draw would also be a good result."

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What is Ronaldo's goal-scoring history vs the Czech Republic?

When the Czech Republic found themselves grouped with Portugal for Euro 2024, they could hardly be blamed for their misfortune.

The prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo charging at their defence is enough to give David Zima and the Czech defenders nightmares.

The Al-Nassr forward has a history of tormenting Czechia in this tournament, according to talkSPORT.

In 2008, a red-hot Ronaldo scored and assisted in a 3-1 victory for Portugal. Four years later, he struck again, netting the only goal with a powerful header to secure a 1-0 win for the Selecao.

Ronaldo draws inspiration from Messi

In a previous publication, Sports Brief reported that Cristiano Ronaldo had disclosed his mission for the 2024 European Championship in Germany, referencing a comment from his rival, Lionel Messi.

Having guided Portugal to victory at the Euros in 2016, Ronaldo now aims to replicate that achievement with an even more skilled squad.

The 39-year-old stated his clear intent to win the tournament, seemingly drawing inspiration from Messi's recent remarks.