Richard Keys threw a harsh dig at Cristiano Ronaldo before the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first match in Euro 2024. Before the game against the Czech Republic, Keys remarked on Bein Sport that Ronaldo seemed past his prime, stating, “running was not his friend.”
Francisco Conceicao secured a last-minute goal to give Portugal a victorious start to Euro 2024, with Roberto Martinez’s team coming from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Group F.
Ronaldo, making history as the first player to feature in six European Championships, missed several key opportunities in front of the goal. Despite his prolific performance in the qualifying rounds with ten goals, he struggled to find his form after a season in Saudi Arabia.
Keys commented: “We all know he’s been one of the best of his generation, but it’s no longer the same Ronaldo. Watching him now, you can see running isn’t his strength anymore. He might prove me wrong in this tournament, but it’s a long way from the player he used to be.”
He added: “The real issue is that everything seems fine until he’s substituted or doesn’t start. Then, there’s big trouble. Like boxers, some players don’t know when to hang up their boots, and I think Ronaldo is in that category.”
