Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to be caught in the course of another Portugal selection dilemma — caused by essentially the most sentimental storyline of Euro 2024’s first week.
The coincidences surrounding the successful purpose scored by Francisco Conceicao within the 92nd minute in opposition to Czechia, after Ronaldo had battled onerous however missed a collection of possibilities, had been nearly too good to be true.
Conceicao is the son of an impressive and dependable servant of the Portugal nationwide group. His father, Sergio, performed for a collection of elite European golf equipment and represented his nation 56 instances, together with his best hour coming on this exact same match.
At Euro 2000, Sergio Conceicao clinched Group A for Portugal with a surprising hat-trick in opposition to Germany, a spectacular efficiency that was the decisive consider a 3-0 win within the Dutch metropolis of Rotterdam.
That effort happened nearly 24 years earlier to the day — June 20, 2000 — earlier than the youthful Conceicao made his outstanding Euros entrance in solely his fifth nationwide group look. Francisco, who performs for Porto, was not even born when his dad tore the German protection aside.
“Francisco is the ultimate example of earning it,” head coach Roberto Martinez informed reporters. “He deserves to be right here and confirmed he is able to assist the group.
“He is doing what he has been doing the previous 4 months at (Porto). He confirmed character and confirmed his value. He is a really mature participant. He performs very direct. He has acquired a nostril for hazard. For (me) to have a participant do what he did, that is essential.”
Portugal’s Francisco Conceicao scores a clutch goal in 90′ + 2 to seal 2-1 victory over Czechia
For all the excitement caused by the 21-year-old’s impact on Tuesday, being grabbed for a hug by Ronaldo himself at the final whistle, it is only going to add to the growing controversy hanging over the Portugal camp.
Ronaldo remains a key part of head coach Martinez’s plans, and played the whole game at age 39 despite the coach making a series of substitutions in search of all three points after falling behind to the courageous Czechs.
Both within Portugal and elsewhere, there is a strong school of thought that is growing louder in its suggestions that Ronaldo’s best way of assisting the team may be coming off the bench, rather than in a starting role.
Conceicao scoring 111 seconds after entering the field only adds weight to the theory that Martinez’s crop of talented young players should be given full license to shine.
Already, the saga is starting to somewhat resemble the furor at the 2022 World Cup, where Ronaldo was benched for the team’s round of 16 clash with South Korea by former coach Fernando Santos, and alternative Gonçalo Ramos scored three targets after being switched into the lineup.
Tactically, everything seemed centered around trying to create chances for Ronaldo on Tuesday, and that prospect did not appear to unduly faze Czechia.
Portugal was fortunate with its equalizer, and though Ronaldo did show his threat with a header that hit the post and rebound for Diogo Jota the score, the strike was ruled out because Ronaldo was adjudged to be offside.
For now, Martinez seems in no mood to switch up the formation that landed Portugal 10 wins from its 10 qualifying games, the best record of all the Euro 2024 teams.
Ronaldo’s teammates also seem invested in their colleague’s role as a talisman, even though general opinion dictates that the squad’s best player is now midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Ronaldo is still a huge attraction for fans, with Portugal’s public training sessions in Germany packed with admirers. Clearly, he still has the ability to uplift.
“I’d say he represents inspiration, he represents that something is feasible,” Manchester City’s Ruben Dias informed reporters. “He represents all that you may dream, and obtain it.
“Mainly I would like to say it is a pleasure to have him with us. More than all these little things or big things, him being with us in this moment of his career represents that he wants to win again. He is our captain and obviously we follow him to the end.”
Portugal vs. Czechia Highlights | UEFA Euro 2024
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.
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