But tournament football is judged in the present. These numbers suggest Portugal are no longer getting the same constant involvement from their most famous player.

A striker can still influence games without touching the ball often. Movement can create space, occupy defenders and shape the opposition back line.

Yet 25 touches over a full match is a narrow platform for influence. Combined with a 10-game scoring drought, it raises a legitimate tactical question for Portugal.

The issue is not sentiment. It is balance.

Portugal have enough technical quality to dominate possession, create chances and control matches through multiple attacking routes. Their centre-forward has to connect those phases, not just wait for the final action.

Ronaldo’s shot volume across this drought shows he is still finding attempts. The problem is that those attempts are no longer translating into goals at the level Portugal need.

That does not mean his tournament role has to disappear. It does mean his role should be judged by the same standards as everyone else.

For Portugal, the question is becoming sharper. Ronaldo remains an icon, but the numbers now ask whether he remains their most effective starting point in attack.

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