When Bruno Fernandes tapped in for Portugal’s third in the 3-0 win over Turkey, it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s name being chanted by the adoring Selecao das Quinas faithful.  

It was his unselfishness which created the goal, laying it on a plate for Fernandes and snubbing the opportunity to score himself.

4Ronaldo, under pressure to open his Euro 2024 account, squared to Fernandes insteadCredit: Getty

The 39-year-old veteran would finish the match with two assists after helping a young pitch invader get a selfie, another moment which captured the imagination of the noisy Portugal faithful, and Ronaldo’s name rang around Signal Iduna Park once again.

He was less obliging with a second intruder, a third really took the biscuit, and by four, five and six, it was just plain silly.

But it showed the ways in which Ronaldo continues to transcend football – and why some think it is a bit of a circus. This would only happen to him or Lionel Messi.

It is also why ex-Portugal manager Fernando Santos sparked such controversy by dropping the nation’s captain at the 2022 World Cup

And despite a second-consecutive match without a goal, there can be no doubt about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s enduring value to his nation, both in a sentimental and a practical sense.

In truth, though, it is Ronaldo who is being assisted by Portugal at Euro 2024.

More specifically, the captain is constantly helped by two teammates: Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.

They do all the running so that this version of Ronaldo doesn’t have to – and in many ways – he is perfect for this outstanding Portugal team.

Ronaldo does all of his work in danger areas

With so many tireless legs, the greatest goalscorer in football history is able to focus on trying to score goals: constantly making intelligent runs, occupying two defenders and ensuring Portugal maintain a threat at all times.

That was what led to the third goal: Ronaldo’s threat in behind, leaving defenders torn over whether to step up or go with him. Even after a year-and-a-half in Saudi Arabia, he is still an absolute nightmare to mark. 

The confusion around the second goal can also be put down to Ronaldo’s presence, after a bit of movement that perplexed even teammate Joao Cancelo.

It is a stark contrast to Harry Kane’s role in Gareth Southgate’s England.

While Kane will drop deep and leave the Three Lions with nobody in front of the ball, Ronaldo remains an old-fashioned No.9 with one job and one job only. He dropped deep three times at most.

Most teams would ask more of their striker, demanding pressure from the front, and some would question whether Ronaldo’s never-ending presence at international level just shows a player with too much power over a team.