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Why Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal legacy is much more than goals

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The forward concluded his international tenure having reshaped Portugal's global profile since making his debut as a substitute for Luís Figo in August 2003. Over that period, he anchored major tournament runs that secured the Euro 2016 trophy and two UEFA Nations League titles. His 23-year international scoring career also produced unforgettable moments, including a standout hat-trick against Spain during the 2018 World Cup.

Key points

  • Ronaldo transformed Portugal from a historically minor tournament team into a recognized…: Ronaldo transformed Portugal from a historically minor tournament team into a recognized powerhouse on the world stage.
  • His international journey spanned six World Cups and five European Championships after de…: His international journey spanned six World Cups and five European Championships after debuting as Luís Figo's substitute in August 2003.
  • Beyond his historic scoring feats, his international tenure was defined by high-profile d…: Beyond his historic scoring feats, his international tenure was defined by high-profile drama, qualifying milestones, and intense public scrutiny.

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Albert Einstein showed beyond doubt that time wasn’t absolute, as Isaac Newton believed – trust a former German citizen to ruin an Englishman’s conception of the universe – but for now, without access to vehicles that move at the speed of light, the absolute and linear concept of time is the only human experience that exists without taking psychedelic substances. And sadly, that means slowly, the greats who have defined the last two decades of sports are slowly being put out to pasture in retirement. In tennis, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – two gentlemen who redefined both the game and the art of being gentlemen – have hung up their rackets. We will never see their contrasting games – Renaissance painter with a racket vs a Davidian sculpture made with a chisel – ever come up against one another. The same goes for football, where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have now both hung up their international footballing boots.

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