Cristiano Ronaldo is still Portugal’s captain, still the first name on many team sheets, and still a massive presence at any tournament. But his output at the Euros and World Cup has cooled. Euro 2024 ended with zero goals for him, even though Portugal reached the quarterfinals. The conversation now is simple: how much can Portugal still lean on him as a pure finisher at the very top level?

A cold streak on the biggest stage

The headlines from Euro 2024 were new for Ronaldo: none of them involved a goal. He played five matches, created some danger, but left without scoring. This continues a longer run without goals at the Euros and World Cup that has drawn attention, especially given his standard. He had chances, including a late penalty against Slovenia that Jan Oblak saved, and he was active inside the box.

The numbers show the story more clearly. Across this stretch he averaged 3.3 shots per game and missed all six big chances that came his way. His movement still draws defenders, but the final touch has not landed as often as Portugal need. For a player who built a career on ruthless finishing, that is the piece currently missing. On Sofascore, a perfect 10 is the top of the scale, and Ronaldo’s best Sofascore Rating in this run sat well below that mark.

The assist vs Turkey and the Sofascore view

There were bright moments. The 3-0 win against Turkey featured Ronaldo at his most unselfish, squaring for Bruno Fernandes to score. That was his only assist at Euro 2024 and the performance that produced his best Sofascore Rating of 7.7. It was a neat reminder that he can still influence games without being the scorer. He linked well, occupied center-backs, and made space for runners.

Still, production in front of goal is the currency for a No. 9 at major tournaments. Six big chances missed is a heavy number for a striker who lives in the penalty area. The 3.3 shots per game suggest he is getting volume, but shot quality and execution matter more at this level. On Sofascore, those details live next to the Ratings on every match page, and they underline why the narrative has shifted. The platform’s event maps and chance breakdowns show where the chances fell and how they were finished.

What this means for Portugal’s attack

Portugal are blessed with creators. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão can thread passes and break lines. João Cancelo adds service from deep and from the flank. The problem is not chance creation. It is turning those moments into goals against well-drilled defenses in the knockout rounds.

Without a consistent penalty-box finisher in tournament form, Portugal’s ceiling shrinks. Roberto Martínez has options. Gonçalo Ramos offers penalty-area instincts and pressing. Despite not being a regular starter for Paris Saint-Germain, Ramos still managed 12 goals in 45 appearances this season, averaging a goal every 144 minutes while playing just 38 minutes per match on average. Those numbers suggest he could deserve a greater role in Portugal’s attack, potentially allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to be used as an impact substitute from the bench rather than carrying the workload for 90 minutes.

Another option is João Félix. The versatile forward remained on the bench throughout the match against DR Congo, but he arrives at the tournament on the back of an impressive season with Al Nassr, recording 26 goals and 18 assists while averaging a Sofascore Rating of 7.65. Although he is not a traditional centre-forward, Félix can operate in that role and would bring additional creativity, movement and link-up play to Portugal’s attack. His ability to drift between the lines and combine with teammates could help Portugal create higher-quality chances in matches where opponents sit deep and limit space.

Can Ronaldo still be the finisher they need?

Ronaldo’s fitness, mentality and positioning remain strong. He still times runs and pulls center-backs into bad spots. He is also 41, and the margins in international football are smaller than ever. At Euro 2024, the extra yard and the tiny window that used to be enough did not always stay open. That is normal. What teams do about it is what decides tournaments.

Looking toward the 2026 World Cup, the question is balance, not legacy. Portugal can keep Ronaldo as a high-leverage finisher and leader while surrounding him with legs and pressing. They can also adjust late in matches, bringing on a pure No. 9 to attack crosses and second balls. If the finishing returns, the title talk follows. If not, they will need a different path to match their talent with end product. As always, Sofascore will have every touch, chance and Sofascore Rating in one place for you to track the trend in real time.