Cristiano Ronaldo is a true global superstar in football. Even at the age of 36, the Portuguese forward does things that many other players at the peak of their careers can only dream of. But, everyone has an off day and it was one such day for Ronaldo as Portugal took on Israel in a warm-up game ahead of the start of Euro 2020.
Though Portugal won the contest 4-0, with Ronaldo also scoring a goal, the veteran forward is being talked about for a bizarre free-kick he took for the team. Ronaldo has enthralled fans with some truly magnificent free-kicks over the years. Some of his best-ever free-kick goals have come in the Portugal shirt.
As far as the matter of free-kicks is concerned, the opinion among fans is that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes should be allowed to take more free-kicks. Ronaldo, of late, has struggled to score goals from free-kicks and his effort against Israel was another example of the same.
Portugal head into Euro 2020 as the defending champions but are placed in the Group of Death alongside Germany, France and Hungary. Fernando Santos’ men begin their campaign against Hungary on June 15. They will then face Germany on June 19 and France on June 24.
The Juventus superstar made scoring from set pieces a trademark early in his career, but that seems to have changed. Ronaldo still takes them for club and country and his effort in Wednesday’s 4-0 win caught everyone’s eye for the wrong reason.
He stepped up late in the first half and sent his effort flying high into the Jose Alvalade Stadium.