Is Cristiano Ronaldo PAST IT? Portugal’s talisman needs confronting and removing from the firing line rather than this farcical psychodrama, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t seem like the type to put his feet up and watch a movie when he could be doing yet another workout of the day. But this week, he really should break that routine and put High Fidelity on the TV in his hotel room.

As Rob, played by John Cusack, and Barry, played by Jack Black, discuss the “top five musical crimes committed by Stevie Wonder in the ’80s and ’90s,” Barry asks, “Is it actually unfair to criticize a former great artist for the sins of his later years? Is it better to burn out or to fade away?”

He may lack self-awareness, but that line from the 2000 film would surely strike home with Ronaldo after the tear-filled psychodrama – or should I call it farce? – of his performance in Portugal’s penalty shootout win over Slovenia on Monday, setting up a quarter-final against France on Friday.

For his country, for his teammates and most importantly for himself, it is time for Ronaldo to call it a day at the end of this tournament. Forget the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano. Leave now before your legacy is tarnished.

The light has been fading for some time now. In his last game for Manchester United, a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa in November 2022, Ronaldo was involved in a wrestling match with Tyrone Mings, a player the great forward would not have tackled with a glove in his prime.

The 39-year-old Portuguese star missed from the penalty spot in the first half of extra time

Although Portugal won the penalty shootout, there are still question marks surrounding Ronaldo’s future in the team as the superstar has yet to score at Euro 2024.

He was dropped at the last World Cup and Portugal promptly beat Switzerland 6-1 with a hat-trick for Goncalo Ramos, who had been brought into the XI. That should have been a sign and yet he continues. The statistics from this tournament are sobering: 20 shots, one missed penalty, no goals – and yet apparently no chance of being dropped.

Ronaldo has outlived Fernando Santos, the coach who dropped him in Qatar, and Roberto Martinez is surely aware of that as he skirts around the issue. But someone needs to confront Ronaldo, please. Otherwise, we might see him standing in front of the 2042 World Cup, 57 years old, still challenging any Portuguese coach who drops him.

Ronaldo’s uncontrollable tears after his penalty was saved by Jan Oblak in regulation time were the mark of a man on the edge of emotional control. Most players would have been taken off the pitch for their own state of mind. Not Ronaldo.

In a way, it’s amazing that he still cares so much. Ronaldo has 211 caps, 130 goals and helped Portugal win Euro 2016 – the only major trophy in their history. While his great rival Lionel Messi has had a complicated relationship with Argentina for much of his career, Ronaldo’s passion for Portugal has never been compromised.

So why would he continue? Why would he put himself in a situation where his powers would wane to this extent? A man who terrified the best central defenders in the world by trying to escape from an Udinese player and a Sochi player, and who fired free-kick after free-kick into the jeering Slovenian fans? What is the point? His place in the pantheon is already assured.

If Ronaldo can’t imagine life without football, that’s understandable. It’s been the center of his existence since he could kick a ball. It’s brought him admiration, fame, and fortune on an unimaginable scale. Is the reality of retirement just too painful to contemplate?

Ronaldo, who appeared to attract the attention of his mother in the crowd, burst into tears as his Portugal teammates surrounded him during the half-time break in extra time

Ronaldo has the support of coach Roberto Martinez, who continues to field him for Portugal

Portugal have relied on their experience for this tournament, with defender Pepe (left) aged 41

Even the strongest people have their [bad] “I was at my lowest point when the team needed me the most.”

‘Sadness at the beginning is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time.’

Ronaldo referred to ‘strength’ in those comments and this is a time for strength in general. Martinez and those who run Portuguese football must be strong enough to realise that if they are to reclaim the title of European champions taken from them by Italy three years ago, they can no longer rely on Ronaldo. And Ronaldo himself must be strong enough to know that his best chance of winning another trophy with his country is to remove himself from the firing line.