Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo for his underwhelming performance in Euro 2024, stating that it was “ridiculous” for the Portuguese icon to continue playing with little impact on the field, according to Sportskeeda.
Ronaldo, who recently announced his retirement from international football, failed to score for Portugal in the tournament and missed crucial chances, including a penalty kick against Slovenia. Murphy questioned the coach’s decision to keep Ronaldo on the field instead of substituting him with younger talent like Goncalo Ramos.
Murphy’s comments were echoed by football pundit Chris Sutton, who wrote in his column that Ronaldo’s performance was “shrouded in selfishness” and that he should have let Bruno Fernandes take free kicks instead.
Despite his lackluster performance in Euro 2024, Ronaldo leaves the tournament as its all-time top goalscorer with 14 goals. However, his legacy was not enough to silence his critics, who feel that he underperformed in his final international tournament.
Murphy’s comments highlight the pressure and scrutiny that top players like Ronaldo face, even in the twilight of their careers. While Ronaldo’s legacy in football is cemented, his performance in Euro 2024 will be remembered as a disappointing finale to an otherwise illustrious career.