Gabby Agbonlahor urges Cristiano Ronaldo to step aside for Portugal’s sake.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s latest milestone – scoring his 900th career goal – has sparked debate about his future in international football.
Despite his incredible achievement, Gabby Agbonlahor believes Ronaldo’s time as a key player for Portugal has come to an end.
Ronaldo’s goal against Croatia in the Nations League marked a record in men’s football, with the iconic forward now boasting 131 goals for his country.
However, Agbonlahor points to Ronaldo’s lack of impact at Euro 2024, where Portugal exited in the quarter-finals, as evidence that it’s time for him to consider his place in the national team.
With talented attacking options like Diogo Jota and Goncalo Ramos often overlooked to accommodate Ronaldo, Agbonlahor argues that it’s time for the legendary forward to step aside and let others shine.
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The former Aston Villa star said:
“If you watched him in the Euros, we forget don’t we, that he didn’t do anything.
“He probably hindered other players being played. I think him playing that many games probably cost Portugal.
“I know people will say that’s harsh and it’s not his fault, but you know, you had your time.
You’ve still got what it takes, but have you got what it takes at the highest level any more?
“There’s a reason why he’s playing in Saudi Arabia, there’s a reason why he got let go at Manchester United, there’s a reason why he’s not playing in Europe.
“I just think Portugal have got so many exciting players that were left on the bench during that Euros.”
“Ronaldo will want to go to the World Cup, he’s not just carrying on to play the Nations League. The end goal is retiring at the World Cup.
“But if I’m [Roberto] Martinez I’m like ‘ugh, it’s the Ronaldo show again’.
He’s already said I don’t want to be a bench player. He said if he’s in the squad he wants to be a starter.
You’ve got that problem. It’s a hard one for the manager because is Ronaldo as big as Portugal?”
Ronaldo, who turns 40 in February, shows no signs of retiring and is likely focused on Portugal’s upcoming match against Scotland on Sunday.
