'No decision' made on Ronaldo's Portugal future

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding the international futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe following their defeat to France at Euro 2024.

Throughout the tournament, both Ronaldo, aged 39, and Pepe, who at 41 became the oldest player in European Championship history, have been key figures in the Portuguese side.

 Ronaldo played every minute in their shootout victory over Slovenia in the round of 16 and their subsequent penalty shootout loss to France in the quarter-finals.

After the match against France, Ronaldo and Pepe shared a poignant moment on the pitch, with Pepe visibly emotional and Ronaldo offering consolation.

"His tears are a reflection of frustration," Martinez remarked about Pepe. "Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football. His contributions tonight and throughout the tournament will be remembered for generations."

Responding to inquiries about whether this might have been the last appearance for the two veterans in a Portugal shirt, Martinez stated, "No, it's too early to say. We're still processing the pain of the defeat. No decisions have been made at this moment."

Martinez's comments indicate that the future paths of Ronaldo and Pepe with the national team remain undecided as Portugal reflects on their Euro 2024 campaign.

More shots than any other player - but no goals

Ronaldo has faced a challenging tournament, with persistent doubts about his place in the team exacerbated by failing to score in any of his five appearances.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was visibly distraught after missing an extra-time penalty against Slovenia, though he redeemed himself by scoring in the subsequent shootout that saw Portugal advance. However, his frustration was evident once more in the defeat to France, leading to speculation about his future with the national team.

"It's likely the end of the road for them with the national team," remarked former Portugal defender Jose Fonte to BBC Sport. "After achieving so much and contributing greatly to Portugal, sometimes you have to make way for the younger players to showcase their abilities."

Ronaldo's performance statistics at Euro 2024 paint a disappointing picture. This tournament marks the first time he has failed to score in a major international event, despite it being his 11th major tournament appearance. His last goal from open play in a major tournament dates back to the group stage of Euro 2021.

In Portugal's five matches at Euro 2024, Ronaldo attempted 23 shots, the highest of any player, without finding the net. His expected goals tally for these games stands at 0.692.

Despite his struggles in front of goal, manager Roberto Martinez has refrained from benching him, prompting criticism from BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton. "Martinez's insistence on Ronaldo displays an 'obsession' and demonstrates a 'lack of creativity'," Sutton opined. "With options available on the bench, keeping him on the pitch is hindering the team."

Echoing similar sentiments, Danny Murphy added, "At times, it seems illogical to persist with Ronaldo when he's not making an impact."

The debate surrounding Ronaldo's role continues as Portugal evaluates their performance at Euro 2024 and considers the future direction of their team.