Cristiano Ronaldo: Joe Cole hails Portugal star's longevity ahead of UEFA Euro 2024 - ‘He could play another 10 years'

Joe Cole believes Cristiano Ronaldo has plenty of fuel left in the tank as he prepares to take part in a record-extending sixth European Championships.

Ronaldo’s first appearance in the competition came at Euro 2004, and was part of the team that was on the receiving end of a stunning upset against Greece in the final.

The 39-year-old will be aiming to win the tournament for a second time after leading Portugal to a first major tournament success at Euro 2016, and Cole believes that Ronaldo can adapt his game to continue playing at the highest level for many years to come.

When asked if he felt Portugal were a better team without Ronaldo in the team in a debate with Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand, Cole replied: “I agree with Ally in the sense that they looked better without him at the World Cup [in 2022], but I can't discount the fact that if you've got [Rafael] Leao one wing and Bernardo Silva on the other, he could play another 10 years.

“He could just get in between the sticks and put the ball away, so I think they're a better player with Cristiano.”

Ferdinand believes Portugal are still a better team with Ronaldo in the side, despite an underwhelming performance at the 2022 World Cup.

The former Manchester United defender - who spent six seasons playing alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford – highlighted the Portuguese veteran’s excellent goalscoring record in qualifying for the championships as a key argument for his inclusion.

 “He scored 10 goals in those nine qualifiers for Portugal,” he added.

“If you looked at him in isolation at that World Cup, I might agree with you. But if you look at the qualification process, without him, they don't qualify.”

Meanwhile, former Scotland striker McCoist had an alternative view and believes Portugal are better served with Ronaldo on the bench.

“It's a bit of a statement there on one of the greatest players of all time, but I'm only going back to what I saw at the World Cup,” he explained.

“I'm going to say what I’ve said, because the new coach [Roberto Martinez] has come in and brought him back in and I haven't seen enough from him.

“But having watched him in the World Cup in Qatar, I definitely felt that Portugal at that time were a better team with him on the bench.”

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