Ronaldo’s tournament?

Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage in Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, but can he lead Portugal to glory at Euro 2016?

Cristiano Ronaldo rarely passes up an opportunity to take the limelight but he won’t be present when Portugal face England at Wembley on Thursday. “Let me rest my legs,” he said after capping another extraordinary season with Real Madrid by clinching Champions League success at the San Siro. Few could begrudge him a couple of days off.

The 2015/16 campaign was the sixth in a row in which he has scored over 50 goals for the club, and his winning penalty in the shoot-out against Atletico ensured it ended with all eyes on him. Fate has a way of aligning with Ronaldo, and, just like in Lisbon two years ago, his shirtless celebration became the defining image of Real’s European coronation.

When the celebrations die down and Ronaldo’s brief period of recuperation is over, his attention will turn to the international stage. Euro 2016 is fast approaching, with only 15 days between the Champions League final and Portugal’s opening game against Iceland in St Etienne on June 12.

Ronaldo goes to France knowing it could be his last shot at European Championship glory. He counts three Champions League medals and three Ballon d’Or awards in his personal trophy collection, but international silverware has eluded him. As he approaches the twilight of his career and ponders his legacy, he will be desperate to put that right.

Ronaldo has a long, colourful relationship with the competition. It served to kickstart his international career when Portugal hosted Euro 2004. The Manchester United teenager scored twice and famously converted the …

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