Portugal returns to action tonight for their UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against France. Roberto Martinez’s side were lucky to qualify to the last eight after they clinched a hard-fought win over Slovenia in the penalty shootouts. While the focus now remains on defeating their former Euro 2016 final rivals, the question looms whether star player  Cristiano Ronaldo is playing tonight.

Well, so far, there hasn’t been a single match where the Al Nassr star has been given rest. In the opening two Group F fixtures against the Czech Republic and Turkey, as well as the previous round of 16 clash against Slovenia, Ronaldo was on the field until the end of the final whistle. Except for the Matchday 3 against Georgia, the 39-year-old was subbed off during the hour mark.

Therefore, with no injury concerns or other on-field issues, Cristiano Ronaldo is playing tonight against France. Even though the former Real Madrid star hasn’t found his way to the back of the net, Roberto Martinez will have to give him a start. The match is quite crucial considering that it can put a full stop to either side’s journey in the competition. Rest, there isn’t a need to remind one what kind of rival Kylian Mbappe and Co. are.  

The former 2018 World Champions are eager to end their 24-year-old exile. While they were close to winning it in 2016, Fernando Santos-led Os Navegadores defeated Les Bleus in their own country to win it. Tonight, either side won’t be looking to pack their bags early. However, it’s Ronaldo that everyone will have their eyes on. The Portuguese skipper remains on the hot seat for not being up to the mark in the tournament. In fact, he has been slammed for holding back his own nation.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo pour cold water on the negative talk with a win over France?

In the past few days, many soccer analysts have expressed the view that Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in the Euro games is a certainty. They suggest that the Al Nassr star holds more influence in the Portuguese camp than head coach Roberto Martinez. The 5x Ballon d’Or winner has faced criticism for prioritizing his achievements over his commitment to the national team.

Additionally, in the previous match, the former Manchester United star experienced emotional turmoil after missing a crucial penalty during the first half of extra time. Following the miss, the captain was seen in tears, with his teammates trying to console him. However, in the aftermath, Ronaldo was criticized for not only putting his country in a difficult position but also affecting his team’s morale, although they ended up winning on penalty shootout 3-0.