Cristiano Ronaldo is still very much here

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Look who it is.Photograph: Sports Press Photo/Getty Images

ONE STEP BEYOND​

When Portugal went out of Euro 2024 on penalties last summer, everyone presumed that would be the last we’d see of Cristiano Ronaldo in green and red. Aged 39, he’d scored 130 goals for a Portugal side he’d served with distinction at five previous major tournaments but last year’s jamboree in Germany seemd a step too far. A starter in each of his nation’s five matches, he finished all but one of them, took 29 shots on goal without scoring and despite being a preening, narcissistic passenger was kept on the pitch for the entirety of Portugal’s quarter-final stalemate against France. Meanwhile on the subs’ bench, the likes of Diogo Jota, Gonçalo Ramos and Pedro Neto looked on wistfully, powerless to have any impact due to manager Roberto Martínez’s refusal to withdraw his talisman from the field of play. In the various postmortems that followed Portugal’s exit, it was widely accepted that the time had come for the Martínez to sling his hook and for Ronaldo to retire, so a new generation of Portuguese talent could go about their business unencumbered by the shadow cast by his almost supernaturally monstrous ego.

That being the case, it seems quite a few people in high places didn’t get the memo. On Wednesday night a Portugal team selected by Martínez and featuring Ronaldo beat Germany in the semi-final of the Nations League. What’s more, it was his lordship who stroked home the winning goal from a Nuno Mendes cross as his side came from behind to earn their place in Sunday’s final against France or Spain. “Onwards, Portugal!” parped Ronaldo after the victory, prompting his many fanboys to cite his tap-in as vindication for his inclusion in a squad that anyone with functioning eyes can see he should not be in. We’ll get to his short-term future presently, but the long-term plans of this self-absorbed diva seem abundantly clear; Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play in the World Cup as a 41-year-old and, with Martínez in charge, is almost certain to be indulged again despite the damage his presence will almost certainly cause the Portugal team.

For now, however, Ronaldo’s immediate future remains up in the air, but with Gianni Infantino having created a transfer window with what seems like the specific intention of engineering his presence at the Club World Cup despite his club Al-Nassr’s failure to qualify, it would be foolish of the player not to avail of it. Last week, Ronaldo posted a come-and-get-me plea on social media disgraces that could scarcely have been more clear, despite being widely reported as a “cryptic message” by outlets who remain in awe of his every utterance, however banal. “This chapter is over,” he chirped, following the latest in an ongoing list of failures to win anything with the Saudi club. “The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.” One suspects he and Infantino would be particularly grateful to any participating club prepared to crowbar him into their lineup before an ill-advised vanity project that’s struggling to shift tickets. But for now, the man who fired so many blanks at Euro 2024 remains a gun for hire.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE​

Join Rob Smyth from 8pm BST for hot Nations League semi-final updates from Spain 2-1 France.

QUOTE OF THE DAY​

“People are probably quite confused and think I have disappeared. Everyone forgets about you” – Joe Morrell gets his chat on with Ben Fisher, with the Wales midfielder now ready for a return to action after 16 long months stuck on the sidelines.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS​

As a long-time Tolkien fan, I was very pleased to see the ‘You shall not pass’ subhead at the top of yesterday’s Football Daily. My pleasure turned to dismay when I saw all the references after it were from Return of the King, which that line isn’t in. People. Come on. ‘The way is shut’ was right there!” – John Kozempel.

May I be the first of probably no others to point out that in Tolkien’s book, unlike Peter Jackson’s film, the return of the hobbits to the Shire is a moment of utmost importance. Gandalf himself describes it as what all their ‘training’ (essentially, saving the rest of the world) has been truly for. He goes on to encourage the hobbits to make up their own tactics for the challenge ahead – a degree of liberty that Thomas Tuchel seems unlikely to grant, even against Andorra” – Luke Davydaitis.

Re: yesterday’s Football Daily letters. David Lambley was quite right about forgetting 3UP, but aimed a notch too high with 8UP. Surely, the marketing bigwigs of the National League should be campaigning for 7UP. Not only would it avoid the gnashing of teeth over how many points the second-placed team finishes ahead of the seventh-placed team, but more importantly, there would be a ready-made soft drinks sponsor to pump money into the league. But I guess this is just pure Fanta-sy” – Phil Hearn.

I see Rio Ferdinand believes he is a laughing stock as a pundit because of the risible performance of one of his former teams (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition). I’m not quite sure how yelling ‘Ballon d’Or’ repeatedly or calling sportswashing a ‘victory for football’ can be laid at the door of Old Trafford, especially at the time when other Manchester United alumni are respected. However, as someone who is taking an enormous amount of pleasure from watching Big Sir Jim’s Carry on up the Creek Without a Paddle, watching Rio stick the boot in can only enhance my enjoyment. Carry on that man” – Colin Reed.

If you do have any, please send letters to [email protected]. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Phil Hearn. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. 

RECOMMENDED LISTENING​

Back once again, it’s the Football Weekly Extra podcast.

NOT FINN-ISHED YET​

Stina Ruuskanen wasn’t expecting a call-up for Finland’s recent Women’s Nations League game against Serbia – after all, she’s 51 years old and last played for her national team in 1996. But the long-retired midfielder was mistakenly selected in the squad by manager Outi Saarinen, who had meant to include Djurgården defender Nanne Ruuskanen instead. “I’m definitely ready if the call comes! Just yesterday I was playing in a hobby league match … so my game feels good,” the elder Saarinen joked to Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat. Stina didn’t actually show up for the 1-1 draw in Helsinki, but the admin error meant her 23-year-old namesake missed out. “Naane was, of course, disappointed but took the news very well considering the circumstances,” Saarinen said in an (under)statement from the Finnish FA. “I’m very sorry for the mistake.”The campaign to give Stina five minutes off the bench in Finland’s next friendly starts here.

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS​

The England squad for Euro 2025 is in, with Lauren James and Michelle Agyemang making Sarina Wiegman’s final 23.

Trade unions from 36 countries have filed a complaint with the International Labour Organisation over the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.

USA USA USA chief suit Donald Trump’s newly-signed travel ban contains an exemption that could apply to players, staff or associated families with clubs participating in the Club World Cup, World Cup or 2028 Olympics.

Australia are almost there, a dramatic 1-0 win over Japan putting them on the brink of flamin’ qualification.

Russell Martin might have only spent six months on loan at Ibrox as a player in 2018, but that hasn’t stopped the 39-year-old leaning hard on his time there upon being named Rangers’ new manager. “I had a taste of how special this club is,” he roared. “Now, as I return, I’m determined to bring success back.”

Dave Brailsford will leave Manchester United and will take up his old role as Ineos sporting director, it says here.

Eberechi Eze has lifted the lid on England’s new training methods, which include taking a tablet and cycling for 45 minutes inside a tent that has been heated to a minimum of 35C. “It was quite difficult to do,” puffed the Palace playmaker. USA USA USA here we come!

Liverpool have told Barcelona where to go when it comes to their interest in Luis Díaz.

And Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is now Chelsea’s Liam Delap after they paid the striker’s £30m release clause. “I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies,” parped Delap, making all the right noises.

MOVING THE GOALPOSTS​

Go go power rankings … go go power rankings … go go power rankings … you Euro ‘25 power rankings!

STILL WANT MORE?​

Alexsandro sold litter to provide for his family. Now he’s in the Brazil team. Josué Seixas and Tom Sanderson caught up him.

The year of Napoli and, more crucially, Scott McTominay. Nicky Bandini takes stock of the Serie A season.

Gianni Infantino’s Club World Cup Panini sticker prompts yet another question for the lofty Fifa overlord, writes Max Rushden.

Are England doing enough to support their stars? Tom Garry asks the question after Millie Bright skipped the Euros to manage her mental health.

And here is the Lionessses squad in pictorial form.

MEMORY LANE​

Bryan Robson gets drenched by Kevin Campbell, the Hawthorns jubilant, the Great Escape complete in May 2005. West Brom began the final day of the season at the bottom of the Premiership, but victory over Portsmouth ensured their survival. Alas, they finished 19th the next season.

MORE JUGGLING THAN ZIPPOS CIRCUS​

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