'Most Ruthless': Former England and Real Madrid Icon Backs Cristiano Ronaldo Despite Euros Struggles

Cristiano Ronaldo has faced immense criticism for failing to score a goal for Portugal in Euro 2024 campaign till now. Things went from bad to worse when in the Round of 16 clash against Slovenia, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a decisive penalty for Portugal.  

Portugal went on to progress through the Quarterfinals after penalty shootout heroics from their goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Despite missing a penalty, minutes before, Ronaldo stepped up and dispatched the very first penalty for Portugal in the shootout. 

Amidst the rising criticism and noise around Cristiano Ronaldo, former England international, Real Madrid striker and Premier League winner with Manchester United, Michael Owen came out and backed Cristiano Ronaldo. 

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Michael Owen backs Cristiano Ronaldo to overcome bad form at Euro 2024 

England's legendary striker Michael Owen attended a roundtable in which he discussed Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles and criticism at the Euros. Owen was adamant that despite him not scoring a goal in the Euros till now he is the most ruthless finisher in the world and the tournament.

“When you play for one of the biggest teams, when you're one of the biggest players, you can't have a bad game. Then the whole world starts talking. Of course, people look at his age. Of course, that people look at where he's playing and the league that he's playing in and all these things get brought up. But Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, listen, of course, five years ago, 10 years, of course, he would have been a better player. But still, he's still one of the most ruthless, lethal finishers in the world of football,” said Michael Owen to Republic in a Roundtable. 

Michael Owen further went on to say that the penalty Ronaldo missed against Slovenia was a great penalty and was excellently saved by Jan Oblak. 

“This is life. This is real high competition football. And he still made a contribution. The penalty he scored, having missed one was, was not many people could show that courage. And bear in mind, the penalty he missed, it wasn't the worst penalty in the world. That would have gone in most occasions. Oblak made an incredible save. So, you know, everybody misses the odd penalty. His penalty record is still amazing. He's still a great player”, told Michael Owen to Republic.

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Michael Owen is not surprised by criticism towards Cristiano Ronaldo

The criticism that Cristiano Ronaldo has received for missing a penalty has been immense and some of it very overboard and unneccessary. But Michael Owen is far from surprised by this criticism and thinks that Ronaldo is pretty much used to it.  

“Well, you know how it works. This is life, this is life as a footballer. This is absolutely life as a world famous footballer. Footballers in most teams can play well for a game and then, if they have five or six bad games, then it doesn't matter. Just because you go through a couple of games, not scoring or maybe not scoring they say you're not playing to your highest level”, said Michael Owen. 

The former Real Madrid marksman further said that despite his lack of form Ronaldo is still the most reliable player in the Portuguese camp. 

“Put it this way, if I'm a Portugal fan, and I want the ball to drop to one player, in the last minute, one chance, I know who I want on the end of that chance. And that's Ronaldo. So, yes, he'll get criticism, but he's seen it before. He's heard it before. It's the life of a top class footballer," concluded Owen. 

Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo's next challenge is going to be an extremely tough Quarterfinal tie against France and Kylian Mbappe at the Euros. 

UEFA Euro 2024 is being broadcasted LIVE on Sony LIV, and the same is available is 6 different languages including features such as LIVE Stats & Star Cams – that allow you to follow your favorite player on the field while the game is going on.