It took him only two games to reconcile with Portugal’s national squad and demonstrate that he is not dazzling at the international level.
With his comeback after a poor World Cup and a controversial move to Saudi football, the 38-year-old Ronaldo scored four goals in Portugal’s first two 2024 European Championship qualifying games, proving he is still the leader supporters are accustomed to seeing in the red-and-green jersey.
Cristiano Ronaldo is once again feeling at ease.
Ronaldo scored twice in the 6-0 thumping of Luxembourg on Sunday, three days after scoring twice in the 4-0 victory against Liechtenstein, when he made his 197th international appearance.
After the victory in Luxembourg, the Portuguese captain said on his social media accounts, “Two games, two triumphs.” “Glad to have contributed to our national team’s excellent start. Let’s go.”
Ronaldo’s confidence and starting position with the national team appeared to have been restored by the goals he scored against minnows.
Ronaldo was in tears the last time he left the field with Portugal after a defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup in Qatar, after being benched by then-coach Fernando Santos.
The poor World Cup, along with his choice to sign a lucrative contract with Saudi club Al Nassr, cast doubt on his future with the national squad. He stated last week that he was unsure if he would ever play internationally again, and only returned after consulting with his family and concluding that it was not yet time to “throw in the towel.”
The appointment of coach Roberto Martinez to replace Santos after the World Cup also likely had a role in his choice to continue playing. The Spaniard vowed to preserve Ronaldo’s legacy, and the star striker praised the influx of “new air” into the national squad.
Martinez praised Ronaldo’s demeanor in the coach’s first two matches in charge.
“Ronaldo is a one-of-a-kind athlete who brings a great deal of expertise to the locker room,” stated the former Belgium coach.
“He is a reference and willing to serve as captain.”
Ronaldo has scored 122 goals in international competition, 13 more than former Iran forward Ali Daei.