Portugal narrowly edged past Czechia 2-1 in their EURO 2024 opener, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s lackluster performance has reignited debate about his role in the team moving forward.

Ronaldo, making history as the first player to feature in six European Championships, failed to impress as Czechia unexpectedly took the lead in the 62nd minute. Portugal’s equalizer came from an own goal, and it was substitute Francisco Conceicao who secured victory with a goal in the 92nd minute.

Criticism of Ronaldo and fellow forward Rafael Leao’s performances was sharp, with former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd describing their contribution as “underwhelming” and “terrible.” Bothroyd highlighted the impact of substitutes like Pedro Neto, who injected energy into the attаck and played a pivotal role in the winning goal.

Reflecting on the match, Bothroyd suggested that manager Roberto Martinez faces a difficult decision akin to the controversy surrounding Ronaldo at the 2022 World Cup. He emphasized the need for Martinez to consider alternatives and possibly make tough choices despite Ronaldo’s status as a key figure in the team.

One bright spot for Portugal was Vitinha’s performance, praised by Bothroyd for his technical prowess and impactful presence on the field.

Portugal’s next challenge will be against Turkiye on June 23, where they will seek improvements following their shaky start to the tournament.