Portuguese football legend Luis Figo has shared his expertise on how Portugal can unlock Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring potential at EURO 2024, according to Sportskeeda. Despite being one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo has struggled to find the back of the net in four games at the tournament so far.
Figo, who played alongside Ronaldo on the national team, believes that Portugal needs to show more enterprise and ingenuity in the final third to create opportunities for their superstar attacker. "My opinion is that in football, when you have the goal, he will always score. But it'll be more easy for Cristiano if we have the [control and] initiative during the game," Figo explained on UEFA's Inside the Box.
"When he is close to the box and if we don't show that initiative and the team is far away from him [then it can be a problem]. Of course, he's not the same age as in the other Euros, but he always has goals in him. So if we can be close to the rival's box, in any moment he can score and decide the game," Figo added.
Figo's comments highlight the importance of Portugal's attacking play in creating opportunities for Ronaldo. The 39-year-old has missed important chances and a penalty against Slovenia, prompting concerns about his form. However, Figo's words of wisdom suggest that with the right approach, Ronaldo can still be the decisive factor in Portugal's campaign.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has also praised Ronaldo's leadership and responsibility despite his missed penalty against Slovenia. "We're all very proud of our captain... I think he gave us all a lesson. Life and football give you difficult moments, and the way he reacted shows why we are so proud in Portuguese football," Martinez said.
With Portugal set to face France in the quarterfinals, Figo's advice could be crucial in unlocking Ronaldo's goalscoring potential. Can Portugal take the initiative and create opportunities for their superstar attacker? Only time will tell.