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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great dominates at set-pieces</li><li>Team-mates having to take a back seat</li><li>Others better placed to find the target</li></ul>

Why ‘one in 60’ Cristiano Ronaldo record makes him a ‘weakness’ as Gary Lineker explains how Portugal superstar’s ego at Euro 2024 impacts Man Utd playmaker Bruno Fernandes

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored some spectacular goals when stood over set-pieces down the years, with his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/how-to-take-free-kicks-like-cristiano-ronaldo/1s3q03387ttps1fj88822fl17l" target="_blank">knuckleball approach from long distance becoming legendary</a>. Consistency has, however, been lacking for club and country.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/saudi-pro-league-move-cristiano-ronaldo-better-record-portugal-superstar/blt6d9c565947f36fc1" target="_blank">strike rate is phenomenal</a>, but he can never be relied upon to hit the target – nevermind the the back of the net – when taking on free-kicks. Despite that, the 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-slovenia-antics-definitive-proof-time-portugal-move-on-euro-2024/bltbbe3f54df8fb5c42" target="_blank">continued to step up for Portugal at Euro 2024</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Questions have been asked of whether the all-time great is allowing ego to take over, with former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes considered to be a more reliable option over a dead-ball. Ex-England international Lineker has told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipLU6kEUpiM " target="_blank">The Rest Is Football</a> podcast of Ronaldo dominating free-kick duty: “It is almost impossible, despite the fact his record is something like one in 60 that he’s scored in tournaments. Bruno Fernandes is a better free-kick taker and a more varied free-kick taker than Ronaldo. So while he’s [Ronaldo] a massive strength, he can also be a weakness as well. “Nothing against Cristiano because what an unbelievable player. I was watching him and his movement in the box is absolutely perfect. He does it better than anybody else I’ve ever seen as a nine, the way he goes forward one way, then the other way. He does it with a sharpness. It’s more the ego side of him which is more of a weakness, probably for himself, Portugal and [head coach] Roberto [Martinez]. As a manager, you know you’ve got someone whose powers are waning and he’s 39, but he’s still Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a superstar. He is almost the most famous person on the planet, not just as a footballer.”

WHAT LINEKER SAID

Ronaldo is yet to register a goal at Euro 2024, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/misstiano-penaldo-john-terry-calls-bbc-disgrace-mock-portugal-captain-cristiano-ronaldo-extra-time-penalty-miss-slovenia-euro-2024/blt999d06eb7b61df01" target="_blank">missed an extra-time penalty in a last-16 showdown with Slovenia that left him in tears</a>. He did, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-hit-rock-bottom-portugal-penalty-miss-slovenia-vow-supporters-euro-2024-campaign-still-alive/blt03eca0e4c667998a" target="_blank">score in the final shootout of that contest</a> – which means he will get another opportunity to break his duck when facing France in the quarter-finals on Friday.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Why ‘one in 60’ Cristiano Ronaldo record makes him a ‘weakness’ as Gary Lineker explains how Portugal superstar’s ego at Euro 2024 impacts Man Utd playmaker Bruno Fernandes | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo’s “one in 60” free-kick record makes him a “weakness” for Portugal and is impacting Bruno Fernandes, says Gary Lineker.