Gary Neville has made a bold claim about Cristiano Ronaldo's impact on Portugal's Euro 2024 campaign, suggesting that the legendary forward's "overbearing" presence may have hindered the team's chances, according to Sportskeeda.
Ronaldo, 39, played every minute of Portugal's tournament, but failed to score a goal, managing only three shots in total and registering just three touches in the opposition box during the quarterfinal defeat to France.
Neville, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, believes that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's dominant nature may have stifled the creativity and freedom of other Portugal players.
"This dynamic of unbelievable desire, self-fight, determination – all those things that you love about him – how overbearing is it for the rest of the players and the manager and the country?" Neville asked on The Overlap.
"I don't think he's got it in him," Neville added, suggesting that Ronaldo's leadership style may be too controlling.
Ronaldo took to social media after Portugal's exit, thanking fans for their support and expressing gratitude for the experience.
Despite his disappointing tournament, Ronaldo remains one of the greatest players in football history, but Neville's comments raise questions about his ability to adapt his game and leadership style to suit the needs of his team.
Neville's bold claim has sparked debate among football fans, with some agreeing that Ronaldo's presence may have been a hindrance, while others believe that the legendary forward was simply not supported by his teammates.
Regardless, Ronaldo's legacy continues to be a topic of discussion, and his impact on the beautiful game is undeniable.