Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Al-Nassr forward, experienced a nightmarish Euro 2024 as he failed to score a single goal in a major competition for the first time in his illustrious career. Portugal’s journey in the tournament ended in the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by France in a penalty shootout.
What Happened?
Ronaldo’s performance throughout Euro 2024 drew significant criticism, culminating in a heated exchange from former German international Dietmar Hamann. The criticism peaked after Portugal’s exit, particularly focusing on Ronaldo’s behavior following the quarter-final loss.
Hamann’s Scathing Remarks
Dietmar Hamann, speaking on RTE, did not hold back in his assessment of Ronaldo’s actions and attitude. Hamann blasted the Portugal captain for being ‘selfish’ and failing to support his teammates, particularly highlighting an incident with Joao Felix.
“Everyone went over to Joao Felix but he didn’t bother – he went down the tunnel. I think Felix needed an arm around the shoulder from his captain, but instead, Ronaldo went down the tunnel. I just don’t understand how – he has been playing the game for 22 years – he doesn’t understand the team dynamics,” Hamann said.
Accusations of Selfishness
Hamann’s critique extended beyond a single incident. He condemned Ronaldo for his approach throughout the tournament, accusing him of prioritizing his personal accolades over the team’s success.
“The way he behaved the whole competition – playing the last game against Georgia when they had already won the group and playing the most minutes out of all the outfield players when he wasn’t up to it anymore – was one of the most outrageous acts of selfishness I have ever seen in a team game,” Hamann remarked.
Impact on Ronaldo’s Legacy
Hamann also expressed concerns about the influence Ronaldo’s behavior might have on his young fans. He emphasized that Ronaldo’s actions could send the wrong message to aspiring players and youngsters who idolize him.
“He has got hundreds of millions of followers and a lot of kids look up to him. I just want to say to these kids, that if you behave like this in society, work or in a team game then you won’t succeed. You will get problems. It shows he played an individual game in a team sport for the last 20 years. That shows how good he is but he could only do it because he was the best,” Hamann added.
Dietmar Hamann’s criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked a debate about the Portugal star’s legacy and behavior during Euro 2024. While Ronaldo is undeniably one of the all-time greats, his actions and attitude during the tournament have drawn significant scrutiny. As the dust settles on Euro 2024, Ronaldo’s conduct and Hamann’s pointed comments will continue to be discussed among fans and pundits alike.