There are two lasting images of C.Ronaldo in a Portugal kit: -- After the final whistle of the Euro 2004 final. -- After the penalty shootout in the Euro 2012 semifinal. Unless an image of him kissing a trophy is established, those two images will be the defining moments of his international career.
Well considering this is Portugal we're talking about, in terms of context and history, those are pretty great achievements.
Depends. Someone who dislikes him will say "HA, CR7 what a crybaby, losing to Greece", while others who appreciate him will remember he was a 19 year old kid at the time of Euro 2004, of which he was in the Team of the Tournament, thus could hardly be at fault for Portugal not winning.
Ronaldo had an okay tournament, but its not like he warrants most of the credit of getting the team to the final. He scored Portugal's 4th most important goal of that tournament...
"Crybaby" or whatever you wish to call it, it's the lasting image of him from that tournament. Not his celebration after scoring against Holland. His reaction after the 2012 semifinal as a 27 year old, where he was in no position to be at fault, doesn't help matters.
He wasn't the main reason, but that doesn't mean he had an "okay" tournament. You don't make the Team of the Tournament having an "okay" tournament, particularly when you're 19. In terms of "4th most important goal", he scored the first goal in a semi-final (a 2-1 win at that) that led Portugal to their first final. I'd say it was pretty important.
I don't think being young is a disadvantage with these kind of things. If anything its an advantage as people are more easily impressed with newcomers, especially "flashy" players. 18 year-old Rooney also got on the Team. And some FIFA WPOTY winners and near-winners were overrated in voting before their time had really come (e.g. Messi in '07). And, yes, that goal was important - hence, "4th-most". They were probably going to win that match anyway, which you can't say about 3 other Portugal goals.
It's a great feat and a defining moment of his tremendous career. It solidifies his status as perhaps the greatest Portuguese player of all-time; however, he must lead Portugal to World Cup glory if he is to elevate his status to that of a Maradona and Pele. Portugal have enough talent to build a successful run around him and I do think that if there ever was a time Portugal could win the World Cup, this edition would be the time. It will be very difficult, but with a little luck anything is possible.
I appreciate the confidence, but I think that for us to win the World Cup would be as hard as Greece winning the Euro. It's possible (like you have shown!), but very, very unlikely... We need him to be at his very best and hope the others play their part. 2006 was our best shot, I think.
It's justified pessimism though. While small countries like Netherlands, Denmark and Greece have won the Euro recently, no small country has won a World Cup since 1950 (when you only had to play 4 games to win a WC)!
If a small country can win the Euro Cup, then they can win the World Cup as well. Pessimism is not justified, especially when small countries like Portugal, and The Netherlands keeps qualifying in tournaments and getting close to the finals. The portuguse overall, should have more confidence in their national team.
Well obviously that remains to be seen since a) in theory the WC is tougher to win, and b) in practice it hasn't happened yet (at least not since the world cup expanded beyond 13 teams).
Yeah, well being pessimistic won't get you the trophy. A population with a overly pessimistic attitude produces bad players, imo. Portugal has a strong team For a small country. They would be more dangerous if they all believe in themselves. However, that is just my theory.