The paths of the two players, 19 and 39 years old respectively, will meet in Dortmund in a match that is expected to be exciting on the field and heated in the stands.
The Turkish fans, who are perhaps the most ardent at the Euros, will use their enthusiasm and loud whistles to destabilize the Portuguese team, which competed in the beginning of the tournament against the Czech Republic (2-1).
The victory was written with difficulty, and late, in stoppage time, with a goal scored by the newcomer Francisco Conceicao at the end of a frustrating confrontation for Cristiano Ronaldo, with limited impact.
The Al-Nassr striker is having a successful season in Saudi Arabia, with 44 goals in 45 matches, but he has left the light of Europe and its level of excellence, moving further away from his golden years at Real Madrid (2009-2018).
Arda Guler, himself, is just a nugget at the Spanish giants, who he joined in 2023 from Fenerbahce. But his impressive performance against Georgia (3-1) on Tuesday earned him the nickname “Turkish Messi”.
Arda Guler scores Turkey's second goal against Georgia in Euro 2024 on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund.
© France Press agency
The right winger scored one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament, the winning goal 2-1, with a long shot from the left side, and the Turkish community celebrated it amid the anger of the stadium and in the four corners of Germany.
previously
At 19 years and 114 days, he became the youngest player to score on his European Championship debut. He stole the record from a certain player… Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer at Euro 2004 at 19 years and 128 days.
“I don't care about individual performances. We have to continue as a team as much as possible,” the young striker commented during a press conference after being named “Man of the Match”.
Turkey will be dreaming of a double win on Saturday: beating Portugal for the first time in the Euros (three defeats so far), and reaching the last 16 for the first time since 2008.
For his part, Ronaldo will try to regain all his glory and lead the “Seleção” to the second round. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner hopes to extend his history as much as possible with the European Championship, which he won in 2016 and which he is playing for a record sixth time.
In the process, he could achieve a new historic mark if he scores a goal. “CR7” has his sights set on Ivica Vastic, who became the oldest scorer in the European Championship with Austria in 2008, at the age of 38 years and 257 days.
The next step for Güler is to manage his growing fame and rising expectations, whether with Türkiye or Real Madrid.
CR7 during Portugal's training session ahead of their second Euro match against Türkiye, June 21, 2024 in Marienfeld (Germany)
© France Press agency
His first season with the Spanish giants was badly disrupted by a series of injuries and setbacks, but he finished the season in a rocket by scoring five goals in his last five La Liga games.
He told the media after the victory over Georgia: “Coach Carlo Ancelotti motivates me a lot and my teammates as well. I want to thank them for their continuous support.”
