Cristiano Ronaldo: Don't Expect Real Madrid Star to Find Success with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the world's best soccer player, but he will struggle to duplicate the success he has enjoyed with Real Madrid on the international stage.

The UEFA Euro Cup 2012 features some of the best countries in the world right now, including Spain, Germany, England, Holland and more.

This does not bode well for the world's No. 1 footballer, as his fancy footwork and goal-scoring ability will be tested against some of the best defenders the world has to offer.

Ronaldo looks to lead Portugal past the limitations set by the many critics of his countrymen, but we won't being seeing the same Ronaldo that scored 46 goals in 38 games in La Liga.

The defenders that Ronaldo must try to beat are better than the ones he sees in La Liga by far. His stepovers might make lesser defenders panic, but they will not be enough to beat the ones he will see in the Euro Cup.

Another problem he will be facing with these defenders is the fact that they will be marking him at all times.

Ronaldo is essentially Portugal's only weapon, which allows opponents to focus on him and make sure that he does not get the opportunity to score in games.

Germany constantly had Ronaldo under control because Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng were giving him problems during the entire match. Ronaldo's only chance came in the 64th minute when he made it into the German box, but a pesky tackle from Boateng ended his chance before he even got a shot off.

Part of the reason Germany was successful was because they limited Ronaldo's runs to the right.

Every team in the Euro Cup knows that Ronaldo is incredibly dangerous with his right foot, and because they know this they will be looking to force him to his left.

Ronaldo doesn't play like the world's No. 1 with his left foot, and if opponents take away his right foot during the game they will be able to shut down Portugal's offense.

Portugal does not have another scoring threat who is anywhere near the caliber of Ronaldo apart from Nani, which is why they cannot take the pressure off of the Real Madrid star.

With defenders locking in on him and no one to take the pressure off of him, you can bet that Ronaldo is going to struggle during the Euro Cup.

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