Cannavaro highlighted the unique threat that Ronaldo poses inside the penalty area, noting how Portugal have built their tactical approach around maximizing his strengths. Ronaldo made history in Houston, becoming the first male player to score in six different World Cups and overtaking Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in the competition with 10 goals.
Cannavaro told reporters: “I told the players that if we give Cristiano Ronaldo a centimetre, we’re dead. That happened and he scored two goals. Portugal players play for him and he is at a stage where he is very intelligent moving inside the box.”
