The shotgun approach
Forty-one years old. Still here. Cristiano Ronaldo fronted up in press conference and made one thing clear: he has no time for the doubters.
“There are media outlets that have been trying to kill me for years, but only with a shotgun,” he said, bluntly. It landed hard. It was also a shot at the people who write him off every season and call time on his career.
Jorge Jesus, fresh into the Portugal dugout, did not hesitate. Ronaldo will start against Wales. A call made with full intent, in a climate where every selection of the Portugal captain gets picked over.
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The numbers, as always
“My numbers show I’m still performing,” Ronaldo said. Then came the line with a bit more bite: “If the coach or the president don’t count on me, I can leave today.” That was his way of shutting down talk about a possible international exit.
And hanging over it all is the big target: 1000 career goals in all competitions. It is the landmark the Portuguese has chased for months, game after game, with no real sign of slowing down.
A date with pressure
Portugal face Wales in the Nations League, with a captain at the heart of it all who refuses to be told when to walk away. Jesus has made his call. Ronaldo will play. And he’ll be desperate to do his talking on the pitch.
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