Pedro Neto Jokes About Ronaldo’s Goals and Fan Voting—What It Means for Portugal’s Euro 2024 Hopes
Lisbon, Portugal — Portugal winger Pedro Neto joked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance in UEFA Euro 2024 fan voting, calling the process “ridiculous” after the Portuguese legend was named the tournament’s top scorer before a single game was played. Neto’s comments, made during a press conference ahead of Portugal’s opening Group C match against Turkey, highlight the generational divide within the squad and raise questions about how the team will balance its star power as it seeks to defend its Euro 2020 title.
“It’s ridiculous that people are already voting for the best player of the tournament,” Neto told reporters. “We haven’t even played yet. But if that’s what the fans want, then I guess we’ll just have to deal with it.” His lighthearted remark underscored the tension between Ronaldo’s global fanbase and the younger players’ frustration over perceived favoritism in the tournament’s early narrative.
Ronaldo, now 39, has been the face of Portuguese football for nearly two decades and remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 128 caps and 117 goals. His influence extends beyond statistics—he was named the UEFA Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament, a title that helped Portugal win its first major trophy since 1966. Yet, his presence looms large even in Euro 2024, where he plays for Saudi Arabia’s national team, complicating Portugal’s preparations.
Neto’s joke came as Portugal’s coaching staff prepares for a tournament where the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility will be tested. With Ronaldo absent from the squad (he is ineligible to play for Portugal after switching to Saudi Arabia’s national team), the responsibility falls on players like Neto, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leão to lead the attack. Their ability to perform will determine whether Portugal can replicate its 2020 success or face an early exit.
Pedro Neto: “It’s ridiculous that people are already voting for the best player of the tournament. We haven’t even played yet. But if that’s what the fans want, then I guess we’ll just have to deal with it.”
Why Neto’s Joke Matters More Than It Seems
Neto’s comment wasn’t just a playful dig at fan enthusiasm—it revealed three critical dynamics shaping Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign:
- Generational friction: Younger stars like Neto (24) and Leão (23) are navigating a squad where Ronaldo’s legacy still casts a long shadow, even in his absence.
- Fan voting as a distraction: UEFA’s “Player of the Tournament” fan vote, launched ahead of kickoff, risks overshadowing on-field performances. Ronaldo leads with 2.5 million votes (as of June 13), per UEFA’s official tally.
- Portugal’s attack in flux: Without Ronaldo, the team must rely on a younger core that includes Fernandes (30), Leão, and Neto—players who have yet to prove they can deliver in a major tournament without the Portuguese legend’s experience.
How Portugal’s Squad Stacks Up Without Ronaldo
Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad is built around a core of players who have thrived in club football but face untested conditions in a major tournament. Here’s how the key attackers compare to their 2020 counterparts:
Context: In Euro 2020, Portugal’s attack was led by Ronaldo (5 goals), Bernardo Silva (2 goals, 3 assists), and João Félix (1 goal, 1 assist). This year’s squad lacks a proven clinical finisher at the top of the pecking order—a gap that could be exploited by physical defenders in Group C (Turkey, Georgia, Czech Republic).
Fan Voting vs. On-Field Reality: What’s at Stake?
UEFA’s “Player of the Tournament” vote, which began on June 1 and closes on July 8, has already crowned Ronaldo as the early favorite. But the vote’s timing—before a single match is played—has drawn criticism from players and pundits alike.
UEFA Spokesperson: “The fan vote is designed to engage supporters globally and create excitement ahead of the tournament. It’s not tied to on-field performance.”
However, the vote’s influence extends beyond bragging rights. The winner receives a €1 million prize and a permanent place in UEFA’s history books—a carrot that could motivate players to chase individual accolades over team success. For Portugal, where collective pride has historically outweighed personal glory, this dynamic adds another layer of pressure.
“It’s a bit like giving out Oscars before the movie is even finished,” said former Portugal midfielder João Moutinho in an interview with Marca. “The focus should be on the team, not the individual. But that’s the nature of modern football.”
What Happens Next: Portugal’s Group C Challenge
Portugal’s opening match against Turkey (June 15, 21:00 UTC at Allianz Arena, Munich) will set the tone for their campaign. Here’s what to watch:
- Tactical approach: Coach Roberto Martínez is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 with Fernandes as the deep-lying playmaker, Leão and Neto on the wings, and Ramos or Diogo Jota up front. The lack of a natural striker could force Portugal into wide play, where Turkey’s full-backs (like Merih Demiral) will need to track back.
- Set-pieces: Fernandes and Ramos are Portugal’s primary set-piece takers. Turkey’s defensive organization—ranked 10th in the world for defensive discipline per FBref—will test their accuracy.
- Injury scare: Neto has been nursing a calf strain since April but passed fitness tests ahead of the tournament. Any setback could force Martínez to rotate with Gonçalo Inácio or Matheus Nunes.
Key question: Can Portugal’s attack create clear chances without Ronaldo’s movement and link-up play? In their last 10 friendlies without Ronaldo (2022–2024), Portugal scored an average of 1.5 goals per game—below their tournament average of 2.1.
Beyond the Joke: What Neto’s Comments Reveal About Portugal’s Culture
Neto’s humor masks a deeper truth: Portugal’s squad is at a crossroads. The 2020 generation (Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo) is fading, while the new core (Leão, Neto, Ramos) must step up without the safety net of a legend.
“There’s a lot of pressure, but we’re ready,” Neto said. “We’ve trained hard, and we know what we need to do. The fans can vote for whoever they want, but on the pitch, it’s about results.”
His words echo those of other young stars in Europe’s top squads—players like Kylian Mbappé (France) and Jude Bellingham (England)—who balance the weight of expectation with the need to assert their own identities. For Portugal, the next few weeks will determine whether this transition succeeds or stalls.
How to Follow Portugal’s Euro 2024 Campaign
Portugal’s matches at Euro 2024:
- June 15: Portugal vs. Turkey (Allianz Arena, Munich; 21:00 UTC)
- June 19: Portugal vs. Georgia (Allianz Arena, Munich; 18:00 UTC)
- June 23: Portugal vs. Czech Republic (Deinako Arena, Regensburg; 21:00 UTC)
For live updates, official match stats, and tactical breakdowns, follow:
- UEFA’s official Euro 2024 page (live scores, tables, and player stats)
- Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (team news and press conferences)
- Transfermarkt (squad depth charts and tactical previews)
What do you think? Will Portugal’s young attack step up without Ronaldo, or will they struggle against physical defenses in Group C? Share your predictions in the comments.
Next up: Turkey vs. Georgia (June 14, 18:00 UTC at Allianz Arena, Munich)—the match that will set the stage for Portugal’s opener.
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