Cristiano Ronaldo: Last 5 Games Portugal Played Without Him Amid Calls to Retire

• Cristiano Ronaldo did not have an excellent individual performance at the 2024 UEFA European Championship
• The captain failed to score as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-final after a 5-3 penalty shootout loss to France
• Fans on social media have been calling on the 39-year-old to step aside from the national team in the future

Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance at the 2024 European Championship was under the spotlight, and fans criticised him, claiming he was holding Portugal's talented group back.

Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-final on July 5, 2024, after a 5-3 penalty shootout loss to France, following a goalless draw in the regulation and extra time.

According to StatMuse, his underwhelming outing was marked by zero goals from an xG of 3.47, five missed big chances, and one penalty saved by Jan Oblak against Slovenia.

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Sports Brief looks at the last five games Portugal played without him amid calls for him to quit the national team, as first called by Planet Football.

Portugal's last five games without Ronaldo

2-1 loss to Croatia

Their second preparation game before Euro 2024 kicked off was a 2-1 home loss to Croatia. The captain was an unused substitute as Luka Modric, and Budimir got on the scoresheet to hand them a loss, while Diogo Jota got one for the home side.

4-2 win over Finland

He was entirely left out of the team for their first Euros preparation match. Portugal ran out 4-2 winners over Finland thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes (2), Diogo Jota and Ruben Dias. He returned for their final match against Ireland and netted a brace.

5-2 win over Sweden

The Al-Nassr star missed the first match of the March international break, but his country beat Sweden 5-2. The 2016 European champions had five goalscorers, including Fernandes and Rafa Leao. Ronaldo returned for the second game against Slovenia, which they lost 2-0.

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9-0 win over Luxembourg

Ronaldo was suspended for this match, and Portugal comfortably dispatched European minnows Luxembourg 9-0. Jota, Goncalo Ramos, and Inacio each scored a brace.

4-0 win over Nigeria

Due to illness, the former Real Madrid forward missed their final preparation game before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and his team beat the three-time African champions 4-0. Fernandes scored twice, Ramos added the third and João Mario wrapped it up.

In the five other games he has missed for the national team, they won four and lost one to Switzerland, proving that the team can gradually start moving on from the veteran.

Four records Ronaldo broke at Euro 2024

Sports Brief reported on four records Ronaldo broke at Euro 2024 despite his country, Portugal, suffering a quarter-final elimination after a 5-3 penalty shootout loss to France.

He was on course for six records before the tournament but only achieved four due to failing to score at the tournament. A goal would have sealed the other two for him.