Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Juventus this close season, including speculation linking him with MLS, along with a possible return to Real Madrid.

Amid that, Santos moved to clarify that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was committed to playing for Portugal at the World Cup as they chase their maiden Jules Rimet Trophy.

"[Cristiano] has a big dream, that one I know," Santos said.

"He has this big dream of participating in what we are setting out to do, that is the goal of playing in a World Cup and winning it.

"That is the main goal, the rest has to stay away from the national team."

Ronaldo has played at four World Cups, with Portugal's best result during his time being in 2006 when they came fourth in Germany, while they were knocked out in the last 16 in both 2010 and 2018.

Portugal finished third at the 1966 World Cup before failing to qualify again for the tournament for another 20 years.

They won Euro 2016 with Ronaldo scoring three goals in the campaign, although he went off injured early in the final.

Portugal will return to competitive action later this month with World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg.

Juve appeared set to open up a six-point gap at the top of the table when Cristiano Ronaldo scored for a club-record 10th successive league match in the 65th minute.

But Fabio Borini levelled with a clever finish 14 minutes from time and Giampaolo Pazzini completed the unlikely turnaround late on, converting a penalty after Leonardo Bonucci had deflected Marash Kumbulla's header onto the crossbar with his arm.

If Inter and Lazio win on Sunday, a solitary point will separate the top three in Serie A, and Sarri had forceful words at full-time.

"This team has been accustomed to winning comfortably over recent years and we need to get it into our heads that we cannot afford to waste points," Sarri told DAZN.

"Hopefully we'll learn the lesson, because we have been talking about it for quite a while. It's difficult, because the team trains well but then can't rise to its full potential during matches. We have to find a resolution to this.

"The mind is most important. If that's not engaged then you aren't going to be on the mark tactically. Similarly, if your mind is also not 100 per cent engaged, then the physical stuff won't follow either.

"We need to realise that winning cannot to be taken for granted. We must work harder, get dirty when we need to and not relax.

"Verona deserve immense credit for the first 30 minutes, but we deserve the blame for the final half-hour. They showed great intensity – we didn't, it's that simple."

The defeat was Juve's second in three games and third in their previous five away league matches. 

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi moved one ahead of Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or record, claiming his sixth individual honour in December.

The result came despite Ronaldo helping Juve to an eighth consecutive Serie A title and Portugal win the inaugural Nations League crown.

Sari is determined for Ronaldo – who sat out Wednesday's 4-0 Coppa Italia last-16 victory over Udinese through illness – to add to his Ballon d'Or collection and match Messi.

"I would like to help Cristiano win the sixth Ballon d'Or first," Sarri told reporters post-game in Turin.

"It's really annoying thinking that someone won more [Ballons d'Or] than him. I think about him and I think helping him it is my goal and the goal of the team. It is right for him.

"[Paulo] Dybala is going to be one of the contenders in the next years. I think so."

While Ronaldo sat out, Juve forward Paulo Dybala dazzled with a brace and an assist against Udinese.

Dybala teed up Gonzalo Higuain for the 16th-minute opener following a stunning piece of combination play before curling a memorable strike past Nicolas approaching the hour mark, having converted a first-half penalty.

It took his season tally to 11 goals across all competitions and Sarri added: "Dybala is a top player. As every top player when they are becoming confident and having the right age, they are playing like a top player.

"I don't think a manager can teach something to a top player. Dybala is going to leave a mark in world and European football in the next years. He has got the right age to leave a mark and he's still got many years of his career. He is really confident in this moment after a few difficulties in the past."

The coronavirus pandemic forced most global sport to shut down in March, but the Bundesliga, LaLiga and Premier League have all recommenced their 2019-20 campaigns – albeit behind closed doors. 

Football has already returned in Italy, however, with Napoli edging out Juventus to lift the Coppa Italia trophy on Wednesday. 

But the top tier makes its comeback with a double-header of Torino v Parma and Hellas Verona v Cagliari on Saturday, with everything from relegation to the title still to be decided. 

As we look forward to the season's resumption, we glance back at the best Opta stats from Italy's top-flight campaign so far. 

JUVENTUS

- Juve have been trailing for 133 minutes in 2019-20, less time than any other team in Serie A this season.

- At home, Juve are unbeaten in their previous 34 league games (W29, D5), more than double the next best streak (Lazio at 15).

- This term, Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the record of 11 consecutive goalscoring appearances in a single Serie A season. He has also already levelled his haul of goals from 2018-19 despite making nine fewer appearances, averaging 0.95 goals per game compared to 0.68 last season.

- Among the players who made their debut in the three-points-for-a-win era, Ronaldo was the fastest to reach 42 goals (52 appearances) – before him the record was 58 games played (Vincenzo Montella, Andriy Shevchenko and Brazil great Ronaldo).

LAZIO

- Lazio are unbeaten in their previous 21 league games (W17 D4), already an all-time Serie A record for the club. Six of the seven previous teams with streaks as long as that in a single season went on to win the Scudetto (the only exception was Roma in 2009-10).

- Ciro Immobile has 27 goals in 26 games in 2019-20. Only Antonio Valentin Angelillo (29) in has managed more after 26 matchdays.

INTER

- Antonio Conte is the first Inter coach to see his team score in each of his first 19 games in all competitions.

- Inter have won nine of their 13 Serie A away games this season (D2 L2): only in the 2006-07 campaign have the Nerazzurri won more (11).

- Romelu Lukaku is one of three players to have scored at least 17 Serie A goals in their first 25 games of a debut season with Inter, emulating Giuseppe Meazza (1929-30) and Stefano Nyers (1948-49).

ATALANTA

- Atalanta's 70 goals in this Serie A campaign already represents their second-best haul in a single season (77 in 2018-19).

- No team has scored as many as 70 goals in the first 25 matches of a single Serie A season since 1959, when Fiorentina netted 79.

- Three Atalanta players are into double figures in terms of goals this season: Josip Ilicic, Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata. Only in 1949-50 and 1951-52 have the club had as many players reach 10 goals.

MILAN

- Since Stefano Pioli joined Milan, they have kept the most clean sheets in Serie A (seven).

- Since his first spell at Milan (which began in August 2010), Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 60 goals for the Rossoneri in all competitions, more than any other player with the club in the period.

The Saudi Pro League club have tried to bring Hierro in previously but finally swayed him with their latest offer.

Hierro has previously worked as the sporting director of Malaga, the Spanish national side, and Mexican side Guadalajara, who announced the Spaniard had left his role after two years in a club statement last week.

Hierro reportedly has a good relationship with fellow former Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who is rumoured to be signing a new contract with the club.

In a statement announcing his appointment, Al-Nassr said: "We are thrilled to announce the Spanish icon Fernando Hierro, as the new sporting director of Al-Nassr.

"Hierro has extensive sports experience."

Al-Nassr finished second in the Saudi Pro League last season, 14 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal. 

The Juventus superstar is on 99 international strikes and is set to become just the second male player to reach a century, quickly closing on Ali Daei's record tally of 109 for Iran.

But amid the coronavirus pandemic, Portugal's March internationals have been cancelled.

Ronaldo will have to wait until later in the year at the earliest to bring up another career landmark, unable to take on either Belgium or Croatia.

There are plenty of highlights from his previous 99 Portugal goals, though, and we have selected five of the best.

Denmark v Portugal (October 11, 2011)

Ronaldo could have his own wing in the Hall of Fame for free-kicks and this effort would be at home among them.

Portugal were trailing 2-0 in the Euro 2012 qualifier with the match in injury time, but Ronaldo enjoyed a moment to remember by smashing home an unstoppable 30-yard effort from the left into the far corner with power and dip – a simply glorious strike.

Armenia v Portugal (June 13, 2015)

Nearly three years on and again in a European Championship qualifier, Ronaldo played a star turn as Portugal won a thriller 3-2 in Armenia.

Having already levelled from the penalty spot and put his side ahead with an impudent finish, Ronaldo celebrated his hat-trick by taking a beautiful touch from a dropping ball, turning sharply and lashing into the top-right corner from 25 yards.

Hungary v Portugal (June 22, 2016)

A year later, Portugal fell behind to Hungary in Lyon during Euro 2016 three times and it was Ronaldo who dragged his team level on the second occasion with a display of fine skill.

The captain added a deft flick with his trailing leg to Joao Mario's right-wing cross to make it 2-2, and he cancelled out Balazs Dzsudzsak's second with a double of his own. It was enough to send Portugal into the knockout stages, and from there, they claimed a maiden international title.

Portugal v Spain (June 15, 2018)

Having twice given his side the lead, Ronaldo found Portugal 3-2 down to their Iberian neighbours in their thrilling opener at the 2018 World Cup.

The was a sense of inevitability when he stood over an 88th-minute free-kick, though, and the execution was sheer perfection as he left David de Gea with no chance.

Portugal v Switzerland (June 5, 2019)

Another game, another Ronaldo hat-trick – this time at last year's inaugural Nations League Finals. It was again a trademark free-kick that got the Ronaldo ball rolling, and he swept home a second to restore Portugal's lead. 

But Ronaldo saved the best for the last in the final minute of normal time, picking up the ball wide on the left, adding a couple of trademark silky step overs, jinking inside the defender and rifling home into the bottom-right corner.

Ronaldo became just the second men's player to a century of strikes for his country as he netted a stunning free-kick late in the first half in Stockholm on Tuesday.

That effort came after Gustav Svensson was sent off for the home side, who never threatened to rescue a result, with Ronaldo instead adding another wonderful goal after the break.

Having also thrashed Croatia last week, Portugal - winners of the inaugural Nations League - top Group A3 just ahead of world champions France through two matches.

Fernando Santos' men survived an early scare as Marcus Berg wastefully skewed a header wide, although the visitors were similarly profligate as Pepe failed to turn in a glorious cross from Bernardo Silva, who was injured in the process.

Ronaldo was twice then denied his milestone goal as Robin Olsen made a pair of instinctive stops with his legs, blocking a snapshot on the turn before diverting a powerful one-on-one blast onto the crossbar and over.

But the game was taken away from Sweden on the brink of half-time as Svensson, already booked, lunged in recklessly on Joao Moutinho and was shown a second yellow card.

Ronaldo dispatched the subsequent free-kick into the top-left corner to finally bring up his ton after a near 10-month wait.

Portugal toiled in pursuit of a second and Bruno Fernandes prodded against the bar, so it was predictably left to Ronaldo to make the points safe, his 101st goal at this level a beautiful effort curled over Olsen into the top-right corner.

Joao Felix might have added his name to the scoresheet in the closing stages but could not stretch to reach Fernandes' low ball and then found Olsen his equal.

What does it mean? Holders off to a flier

Portugal were aided by the red card here, but the defending Nations League champions are quickly making their mark in this competition once again.

They have two wins from two and, even with France still to play home and away, they show no signs of slowing - nor does their 35-year-old goalscorer...

Ronaldo record in sight

Having sat out of the Croatia game, meaning his tally of 99 goals had not improved since November 2019, Ronaldo was evidently determined to get on the scoresheet.

Olsen twice got the better of the Juventus talisman, but a pair of stunning strikes were fully deserved and he can now look towards the global record of 109 international goals, held by Iran great Ali Daei.

Svensson sinks Swedes

The villain was as obvious as the hero in Stockholm. Sweden were clinging on even before Svensson's foolish red card.

The Seattle Sounders midfielder should have known better than to dive in when on a booking, yet his attempted challenge was so strong and so late he might have earned a straight red if not for his earlier card.

What's next?

A busy October sees Portugal face Spain in a friendly before a Nations League double-header against France and Sweden again. The Swedes face Russia and Croatia before that return fixture.

Messi's future remains an important topic at embattled LaLiga giants Barca after he handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was tipped to join Premier League powerhouse Manchester City before opting to remain in Spain, though he has since been linked to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Inter.

Tebas was asked about Messi's future, and he played down the impact of the Argentina skipper's possible exit.

"I want Messi in LaLiga, just as I want [Tottenham head coach] Mourinho, [City manager] Guardiola, [Liverpool boss] Klopp, [Juventus superstar] Cristiano…," Tebas said at the World Football Summit. "They all help you grow.

"It's not essential. They're not as important as people say. Neymar left. It's necessary to have a strategy, a player can help you, but it's not essential.

"We've got the deals done for the next four seasons in nearly all territories. It can affect sponsorships somewhat, but we've really worked hard on the league's brand and we wouldn't notice it.

"I hope that Messi, who's the best player ever, finished his career here."

Messi has spent his entire senior career at Camp Nou, where he emerged from Barca's youth team in 2004.

Since debuting, Messi has become Barca's all-time leading scorer and won a club-record 34 trophies, including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns.

In 2020-21, Messi has scored three goals in eight LaLiga matches for 13th-placed Barca, who are 12 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.

Messi has six goals across all competitions as Ronald Koeman's Barca struggle this season.

FIFA's alternative to the Ballon d'Or has been held consecutively every year since 2017, with Cristiano Ronaldo scooping the first award as Best Men's Player.

Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski took that accolade for the 2020 awards and will be hoping his record-breaking efforts in the Bundesliga last season will be enough to defend that title.

Competition is likely to come from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who came third in 2018 and has enjoyed a remarkable start to 2021-22, while France duo Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema seem set to be in the running too. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, of course, cannot be discounted.

The Best Men's Goalkeeper and Best Men's Coach are also up for grabs, as are the equivalent of all three awards for the women's game. 

The FIFPRO Men's and Women's XIs will also be named.

With coronavirus cases around Europe still rising, FIFA has chosen to host the event virtually, rather than have attendees present.

A FIFA statement read: "The Best incorporates the views of the four pillars of the footballing world.

"The recipients of the trophies for the top players and coaches in both women's and men's football will be determined through a combined voting process involving the captains and head coaches of all national teams around the world, an online ballot of fans and submissions from a select group of more than 300 media representatives."

Voting will commence on November 22 and close on December 10.

Four Saudi clubs – Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli – made huge moves over the course of the transfer window.

Karim Benzema, Neymar, N'Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Marcelo Brozovic, Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessie and Ruben Neves were among the big names to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the Thinking Football Summit, Martins, a Portuguese winger who first played in Saudi Arabia in 2020 and now plays for Al Khaleej, believes the eyes of the world are now on the Saudi Pro League, and that is only an extra motivation for players who are able to go up against superstar names.

"It's impossible to not be excited to play against Cristiano, Neymar, Benzema, Firmino, Mane, a lot of stars that arrived, and they came with a lot of talent, a lot of quality, but they bring the visibility to the world," Martins told Stats Perform.

"Because I think I'm not afraid to say that the league is in top three or four of visibility because every person is speaking about this.

"Now, every person is excited to see what will happen here in Saudi. So all players here are excited too, are motivated to do the things well because all of us know that the eyes of the world are here right now."

Asked specifically about the impact Ronaldo has had since he joined Al Nassr last season, Martins said: "Oh, for sure, huge impact. He brings quality. He brings the visibility because for Cristiano to arrive in a country like Saudi Arabia, it brings the visibility, and like it or not, the professionalism is growing with Cristiano and now with the arrival of the other big players.

"I believe that is good for everyone here. I believe that it is good for the Saudi football. And I believe that the league and the country have potential to grow step by step for sure.

"Last year, when Cristiano arrives I was very happy because I never thought that I would be able to play against Cristiano, to speak with Cristiano. I was lucky because he gave me his shirt.

"We were there speaking like five or ten minutes about the country, about the things here in Saudi. So, we are lucky the people who are that are here are lucky to play against such big players because from Portugal we have now here Ruben Neves too, Otavio, Jota for example.

"So it's very special to play against these kinds of players and of course we are motivated to do the things."

Roberto Martinez had Diogo Costa to thank for his penalty heroics against Slovenia as the Porto goalkeeper spared Cristiano Ronaldo's blushes in Frankfurt. 

Ronaldo saw his spot-kick saved by Jan Oblak in extra time, reducing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to tears at the interval before stepping up to score in the shootout. 

Earlier that day, France were aided by the knee of Jan Vertonghen as they squeezed past Belgium in Dusseldorf, with their struggles in front of goal continuing.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Euro 2020, in which three of the four goals were scored from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw at the Puskas Arena. It is also, of course, a repeat of the Euro 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0 in Paris.

Many predict another enthralling encounter against two European powerhouses, but based on current form, we might be better not expecting a classic.

Here, we use Opta data to preview Friday's clash.

What's expected?

France are predicted to emerge victorious in Hamburg, with the Opta supercomputer handing them a 40.1% chance of winning at the Volksparkstadion. 

Portugal triumphed in 30.2% of the data-led simulations, with a draw forecast at 29.8%, meaning extra time and penalties are a real possibility.

This will be the fifth meeting between Portugal and France at the European Championships, with the Selecao unbeaten in the last two.

France won the first two meetings, going on to lift the trophy both times (3-2 in 1984, 2-1 in 2000), and Les Bleus know a win could send them on their way to silverware once again. 

But while both sides boast an array of attacking talent, they have misfired in Germany, and every little advantage will likely be crucial in a tight contest. 

Portugal have now failed to score in their last two matches. They have never failed to score in three consecutive games at a single major tournament before.

Les Bleus have had a similar problem. Their three goals at Euro 2024 so far have come from two own goals and a penalty from Kylian Mbappe.

Not since a run of five internationals between March and September 2013 have France seen their players fail to score from open play in as many matches.

However, their defence remained resolute in their time of need. France have an expected goals against (xGA) tally of just 2.63 at Euro 2024 – the lowest of any side in the quarter-final, and second lowest at the tournament overall after already-eliminated Serbia (2.57).

Didier Deschamps' team have an impressive record over Friday's opponents, having lost only one of their last 14 games against Portugal (W11 D2), although that lone defeat came in the final of Euro 2016.

But Martinez's side will fancy their chances of claiming a second European Championship crown should they triumph here.

The previous four teams to eliminate Les Bleus at the quarter-final stage of a major tournament have gone on to win the trophy (Italy in the 1938 World Cup, Greece at Euro 2004, Spain at Euro 2012 and Germany at the 2014 World Cup).

Stick or twist with Ronaldo?

It's a question that has emerged not for the first time at Euro 2024, but Martinez will face his toughest decision yet on Portugal's talisman ahead of the fixture against France. 

Ronaldo endured an evening to forget against Slovenia, but assumed responsibility for the Selecao's first spot-kick in the penalty shootout, and was sure not to make the same mistake twice. 

During that game in Frankfurt, Ronaldo had the most shots (eight), shots on target (four), and touches in the opposition box (seven), of any player. A clinical edge is lacking.

Indeed, Portugal's captain has mustered 20 shots at Euro 2024, the most of any player, but is yet to find the back of the net. 

Ronaldo has also attempted 34 direct free-kick shots for Portugal at the Euros, over twice as many as any other player on record (since 1980 – Zinedine Zidane 15), yet he is still to score one.

While it may be difficult to drop a player who is the all-time leading goalscorer in international football, Martinez could see this as an opportunity to freshen up his forward line. 

Having recorded an xG total of 1.97 against Slovenia, failing to take those opportunities against a superior opposition will surely have devastating consequences.

Slim pickings for Deschamps

Deschamps tried to reignite Les Bleus' attacking spark with a three-man strike force against Belgium, but the pickings were slim. 

A trio of Mbappe, Marcus Thuram and Antoine Griezmann were preferred, with Randal Kolo Muani introduced late on, but it proved to be another blunt display. 

France had 19 shots against the Belgians, but just two were on target, and ultimately it was a touch of fortune that saw them through. 

Between Mbappe (five), Thuram (four) and Griezmann (two), they managed just one shot on target, despite having 18 touches between them in Belgium's box. 

Defence, ironically, given the attacking talent at their disposal, has been France’s strong point. However, their array of attacking options will have to step up sooner rather than later. 

France have kept a clean sheet in three of their four games, the most of any side at the tournament, yet they are not being helped by the players in front of them. 

Deschamps, however, has the opportunity to freshen up his forward line. The France coach faces a decision similar to Martinez, as to which of his players he can trust on the biggest of stages.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portugal - Joao Paulinha

With Portugal's misfiring front line at the centre of attention against Slovenia, it overshadowed the impressive display of Joao Paulinha at the heart of midfield. 

Paulinha, who is reportedly set to join Bayern Munich, made nine tackles in this game. The last player to make more in a European Championship match was Anatoliy Tymoshchuk for Ukraine v France in 2012 (12).

The 28-year-old's ability to break up play proved extremely effective against Slovenia, winning the most duels (17), most aerial duels (10), and winning possession more than any other Portugal player on the pitch (10). 

France - William Saliba 

William Saliba has carried his impressive form with Arsenal into his second major international tournament, and his defensive presence will be important given France's struggles in attack. 

The defender has completed 96.6% of his passes so far at Euro 2024 (256/265), the best passing accuracy recorded (min. 100 passes) by a France player at a major tournament (since 1966 for the World Cup, and 1980 for the Euros).

Roberto Martinez had Diogo Costa to thank for his penalty heroics against Slovenia as the Porto goalkeeper spared Cristiano Ronaldo's blushes in Frankfurt. 

Ronaldo saw his spot-kick saved by Jan Oblak in extra time, reducing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to tears at the interval before stepping up to score in the shootout. 

Earlier that day, France were aided by the knee of Jan Vertonghen as they squeezed past Belgium in Dusseldorf, with their struggles in front of goal continuing.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Euro 2020, in which three of the four goals were scored from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw at the Puskas Arena. It is also, of course, a repeat of the Euro 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0 in Paris.

Many predict another enthralling encounter against two European powerhouses, but based on current form, we might be better not expecting a classic.

Here, we use Opta data to preview Friday's clash.

What's expected?

France are predicted to emerge victorious in Hamburg, with the Opta supercomputer handing them a 40.1% chance of winning at the Volksparkstadion. 

Portugal triumphed in 30.2% of the data-led simulations, with a draw forecast at 29.8%, meaning extra time and penalties are a real possibility.

This will be the fifth meeting between Portugal and France at the European Championships, with the Selecao unbeaten in the last two.

France won the first two meetings, going on to lift the trophy both times (3-2 in 1984, 2-1 in 2000), and Les Bleus know a win could send them on their way to silverware once again. 

But while both sides boast an array of attacking talent, they have misfired in Germany, and every little advantage will likely be crucial in a tight contest. 

Portugal have now failed to score in their last two matches. They have never failed to score in three consecutive games at a single major tournament before.

Les Bleus have had a similar problem. Their three goals at Euro 2024 so far have come from two own goals and a penalty from Kylian Mbappe.

Not since a run of five internationals between March and September 2013 have France seen their players fail to score from open play in as many matches.

However, their defence remained resolute in their time of need. France have an expected goals against (xGA) tally of just 2.63 at Euro 2024 – the lowest of any side in the quarter-final, and second lowest at the tournament overall after already-eliminated Serbia (2.57).

Didier Deschamps' team have an impressive record over Friday's opponents, having lost only one of their last 14 games against Portugal (W11 D2), although that lone defeat came in the final of Euro 2016.

But Martinez's side will fancy their chances of claiming a second European Championship crown should they triumph here.

The previous four teams to eliminate Les Bleus at the quarter-final stage of a major tournament have gone on to win the trophy (Italy in the 1938 World Cup, Greece at Euro 2004, Spain at Euro 2012 and Germany at the 2014 World Cup).

Stick or twist with Ronaldo?

It's a question that has emerged not for the first time at Euro 2024, but Martinez will face his toughest decision yet on Portugal's talisman ahead of the fixture against France. 

Ronaldo endured an evening to forget against Slovenia, but assumed responsibility for the Selecao's first spot-kick in the penalty shootout, and was sure not to make the same mistake twice. 

During that game in Frankfurt, Ronaldo had the most shots (eight), shots on target (four), and touches in the opposition box (seven), of any player. A clinical edge is lacking.

Indeed, Portugal's captain has mustered 20 shots at Euro 2024, the most of any player, but is yet to find the back of the net. 

Ronaldo has also attempted 34 direct free-kick shots for Portugal at the Euros, over twice as many as any other player on record (since 1980 – Zinedine Zidane 15), yet he is still to score one.

While it may be difficult to drop a player who is the all-time leading goalscorer in international football, Martinez could see this as an opportunity to freshen up his forward line. 

Having recorded an xG total of 1.97 against Slovenia, failing to take those opportunities against a superior opposition will surely have devastating consequences.

Slim pickings for Deschamps

Deschamps tried to reignite Les Bleus' attacking spark with a three-man strike force against Belgium, but the pickings were slim. 

A trio of Mbappe, Marcus Thuram and Antoine Griezmann were preferred, with Randal Kolo Muani introduced late on, but it proved to be another blunt display. 

France had 19 shots against the Belgians, but just two were on target, and ultimately it was a touch of fortune that saw them through. 

Between Mbappe (five), Thuram (four) and Griezmann (two), they managed just one shot on target, despite having 18 touches between them in Belgium's box. 

Defence, ironically, given the attacking talent at their disposal, has been France’s strong point. However, their array of attacking options will have to step up sooner rather than later. 

France have kept a clean sheet in three of their four games, the most of any side at the tournament, yet they are not being helped by the players in front of them. 

Deschamps, however, has the opportunity to freshen up his forward line. The France coach faces a decision similar to Martinez, as to which of his players he can trust on the biggest of stages.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portugal - Joao Paulinha

With Portugal's misfiring front line at the centre of attention against Slovenia, it overshadowed the impressive display of Joao Paulinha at the heart of midfield. 

Paulinha, who is reportedly set to join Bayern Munich, made nine tackles in this game. The last player to make more in a European Championship match was Anatoliy Tymoshchuk for Ukraine v France in 2012 (12).

The 28-year-old's ability to break up play proved extremely effective against Slovenia, winning the most duels (17), most aerial duels (10), and winning possession more than any other Portugal player on the pitch (10). 

France - William Saliba 

William Saliba has carried his impressive form with Arsenal into his second major international tournament, and his defensive presence will be important given France's struggles in attack. 

The defender has completed 96.6% of his passes so far at Euro 2024 (256/265), the best passing accuracy recorded (min. 100 passes) by a France player at a major tournament (since 1966 for the World Cup, and 1980 for the Euros).

Manchester City playmaker De Bruyne, who recently won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, is in the final three along with two Bayern Munich stars who helped their side to the treble last season.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk won the honour in the previous season, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

None of those three are on the shortlist this time, though, and whoever comes out on top will be a first-time winner.

Neuer missed only one game in Bayern's treble season and kept six Champions League clean sheets, while Lewandowski netted 55 goals in 47 appearances for Hansi Flick's team.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, produced a record-equalling 20 assists in the Premier League for City, adding 13 goals.

The final order of the top three is yet to be revealed, but UEFA has confirmed the occupants of positions four to 10.

Barcelona forward Messi came in at tie for fourth with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, while Juventus attacker Ronaldo was down in 10th spot.

Thomas Muller (6th), Kylian Mbappe (7th), Thiago Alcantara (8th) and Joshua Kimmich (9th) were the others who featured in the top 10.

Ronaldo has won the honour three times since it was first awarded in 2011, while Messi has claimed it twice.

Andres Iniesta, Franck Ribery, Luka Modric and Van Dijk were the other victors, with the award voted for by coaches and journalists.

Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard and Pernille Harder are up for the Women's Player of the Year accolade in the 2019-20 awards.

Bayern head coach Flick, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann are on the shortlist for Men's Coach of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the Champions League group stage draw ceremony on October 1.

Messi and Ronaldo also won the previous version of the award - UEFA Club Footballer of the Year – once each. That award was replaced after the 2009-10 season, when Diego Milito came out on top.

Ronaldo and Messi are considered as two of the greatest players of all time, though who exactly stands alone as the best is often debated.

Barcelona captain Messi has won a record six Ballons D'Or, compared to Juventus superstar Ronaldo's five, while the pair have claimed numerous other club and individual honours.

Dutch great Van Basten, however, weighed in on the debate and made it clear who he thinks is the superior footballer.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, but those who claim that he is better than Messi don't understand anything about football or say it in bad faith," Van Basten told Corriere della Sera.

"Messi is unique, inimitable and unrepeatable.

"Players like him appear every 50 or 100 years.

"As a child he fell into the pot of football genius."

Ronaldo is enjoying another fine season, with the 35-year-old's goal tally already at 25 across all competitions.

The Portugal captain scored 21 Serie A goals in his first campaign in Turin, and he has already matched that figure through 21 matches this term.

Messi, meanwhile, has scored 23 goals in all competitions for LaLiga champions Barcelona in 2019-20.

Ahead of Sunday's Clasico against bitter rivals Real Madrid, Messi has managed 18 league goals in 20 appearances.

That is according to SKC coach Peter Vermes.

Sporting were interested in signing Ronaldo after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner left Manchester United late last year.

However, the MLS side could not make a deal work that would compete with the offer Ronaldo received from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

It was confirmed this week that Messi would be joining SKC’s league rivals Miami, but Vermes shrugged off the chance of signing Ronaldo.

“No, he’s wrapped up for two years on a significant amount of money. I think the transfer fee would be a little out of our range,” he said ahead of SKC’s meeting with Austin FC.

“At the time when we were thinking about doing that deal, [Messi going to Miami] was in the back of our head, because there was talk of him going to Miami at the end of the world cup. It could have been – could have, should have, would have – those are all kinds of things in life. The fact that [Messi] is coming is tremendous.”

Vermes explained he is thrilled to see Messi come to MLS, comparing the Argentine to NBA icon Michael Jordan.

“I thought when David Beckham came to the league he had an incredible impact on our league, and the notoriety that got worldwide, he helped achieve a new bar in how people perceived our league,” he said.

“Messi’s the best player in the world, so to be able to have the best player in the world playing in the league that you’re involved in, that’s tremendous. It’s a huge opportunity for our league, it’s great in so many ways and from the fans’ perspective too. It’s like watching Michael Jordan play basketball – he’s from another planet that guy, when he plays.”

There has been a great deal of focus on Wrexham over the past two seasons after the club were bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The Welsh side have thrived in the spotlight, finishing second last year and falling agonisingly short in an epic play-off defeat to Grimsby Town.

Wrexham bounced back this season and are now in pole position for the single automatic promotion place, needing only to beat Boreham Wood on Saturday to seal their return to the Football League.

That is only after a remarkable tussle with Notts County, however, culminating in the dramatic 3-2 Easter Monday win at the Racecourse Ground.

Both Wrexham and Notts have passed 100 points, with the league leaders setting a points record for the top five divisions of English football.

For defender Tozer, that incredible standard encourages comparisons with perhaps football's greatest rivalry, which saw Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid hit their peaks at the same time.

"Everyone would rather have won the league by March, and that's just the way things are," Tozer said, looking forward to the Boreham Wood game.

"People generally want things easy, but if you want to go and win a league, it's tough, it's hard. You have to do the right thing day in and day out.

"And again, it's been great to have that pressure. It probably was the same. We'd both be pushing each other really, and that's okay.

"It's a bit like the Messi and Ronaldo situation pushing each other on. It's been tough and it's been good."

It was announced at the end of August that Ibrahimovic would stay with Milan, where he had made a strong impact in a half-season spell.

His 10 goals in 18 Serie A appearances last term helped to transform a struggling side, and the veteran Swede has stepped up to new levels in 2020-21, with 10 goals in just six league games.

But it appears Ibrahimovic was up for grabs before he committed to another year with Milan, given Raiola says his client could have gone to champions Juventus.

With Andrea Pirlo freshly installed as head coach of the Turin giants, Raiola felt Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo could have been the strike combination to take Juventus to European glory.

In an interview with Tuttosport, Raiola said of Ibrahimovic: "This summer, when he was free, everyone made a mistake not to take him, including Juve.

"He would have been the ideal man to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo and go together to storm the Champions League. Putting two prima donnas together wouldn't have been a problem.

"Think, what a trio: Pirlo, Ibra and Ronaldo."

Juventus, for whom Ibrahimovic played two seasons from 2004 to 2006, last won the Champions League in 1996.

This season, they are chasing Milan's shadow in Serie A, with Ibrahimovic's goals fuelling confidence and an early-season run at the top of the table.

Milan sit five points clear of nearest rivals Inter, and six ahead of Juve.

"Deservedly. The Rossoneri are the team to beat, I say it and repeat it," Raiola said. "Zlatan is a priceless player. Always top scorer in Serie A, with two goals more than Ronaldo, despite being still injured. But now his return is imminent."

Ibrahimovic has scored at a startling rate of one goal every 52.9 minutes in Serie A this season, but Ronaldo is not far behind with one every 58.75 minutes on the pitch.

Of players to have scored more than once this season, they are first and second in the minutes-per-goal standings, with Ibrahimovic also having hit the woodwork once and Ronaldo having done so twice.

Nobody has had more touches in the opposition penalty area than Ibrahimovic (63, level with Roma's Henrikh Mkhitaryan), who has made his presence felt in devastating fashion.

Raiola added the grand claim that Ibrahimovic is "the most complete player ever in football history", boasting he possesses "the talent of Messi and the willpower of CR7 [Ronaldo]".

He said there was no rush to extend the striker's contract and speculated that a public vote for the Ballon d'Or, which is not being awarded this year because of COVID-19, would have seen Ibrahimovic come out on top.

Raiola represents a string of top-level stars, including Ibrahimovic's Milan team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 21-year-old Italy goalkeeper whose contract in San Siro is due to expire at the end of this season.

"At the moment he's with Milan, then we'll see," Raiola said.

"What is certain is that Gigio is no longer what he was four years ago and there are many who ask about him. But I'll stop here. I don't want it to become a media renewal like in the past."