International goals No.105 and 106 in the bag. More, undoubtedly, to come.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe both put on shows at Euro 2020 today.
The France star was perpetual motion, constantly buzzing about the pitch and causing the Germans headaches. Ronaldo was out of Portugal’s Group F clash with Hungary for long periods and missed a first-half sitter.
When both games were said and done, Mbappe finished without the goal(s) his performance deserved. Ronaldo walked off to acclaim after scoring twice. He is now just four goals shy of the all-time international record. Relentlessness comes in different packages.
Roy Keane has been following Ronaldo’s international career closely ever since the pair played together for Manchester United. Over on ITV for their Euro 2020 coverage, Keane lavished his former teammate with praise and aimed a dig at those that are brave enough to doubt the 36-year-old.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)We are seeing a mellower Keane in the early stages of Euro 2020. He was praising England after their win over Croatia and has yet to really lambast any player. He was critical of Antonio Rudiger and the Dutch defence for their group stage lapses, but the claws are retracted, for now.
He even broke character for a moment, this evening, when fellow pundit Ian Wright ripped his jumper for having three stripes across one arm. “Roy thinks he’s still a captain,” joked Wright.
Unable to find a witty comeback, at which he is so adept at, Keane’s look said it all. Round One to Wright.
On the subject of Ronaldo and his goalscoring exploits, Keane even threw in a jab at some pundits that suggested the veteran Portuguese star may be a waning superpower.
“Amazing. We discuss all the time, obviously, that the hardest part of football is scoring goals, and he does it for fun. I still love watching him play.
“I was surprised he scored today, because he had such a bad season for Juventus. I think he might have only scored 36 for them, so I thought his confidence might be down.
“But, again, I keep using the same word – amazing – for the guy. I was fortunate enough to play with him, even if it was for a year or two. The guy’s a genius. He is one of the greatest players of all time, and we’re fortunate to be able to watch him. I was lucky enough to play with him.
“The guy’s a machine, he’s a beast. Love watching him, and the way he’s matured. We all know that he’s not getting involved in the build-up play, but getting on the end of things. His goals record, amazing.”
Game 100% respects game.
