Euro 2016 Is Cristiano Ronaldo's Best Chance to Strike Gold with Portugal

For all of his success—three Champions League titles, three Ballon d'Or awards, marketing deals, even more marketing deals—international triumphs have always eluded Cristiano Ronaldo.

That section of his CV is one he probably likes to gloss over when he's Googling himself—or having someone Google himself for him.

But while you're never too far away from someone who likes to proclaim that only the very best in the world can be defined by their World Cups or continental championships, "perfect" careers are few and far between. Crowning glories are seldom seen.

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For Ronaldo, international tournaments have offered tears, tantrums, torment and nothing in the way of tangible triumph.

Like his good friend Wayne Rooney, he made his international breakthrough at Euro 2004, but unlike Rooney, the passionate Portuguese fans backed him up during their home tournament. Defeat in the Lisbon final to Greece was greeted with days of national mourning.

For Ronaldo himself, after being billed as the heir apparent to Luis Figo and the man who would finally allow Portugal to move on from their underachieving "Golden Generation," it was hard to take.

Pictures of the 19-year-old in tears quickly circled and are still seen to this day. It was heartache that will never quite be that raw again, but that seemingly set the tone for an international career that has been defined by failures.

Fast-forward to 2016, and Ronaldo—no longer a stepover-obsessed, spot-marked youth, but rather a man who won't rest until you acknowledge he is The Man—has to be happy with his lot in life. International success might not be the thing he wakes up in a cold sweat longing for.

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Having captained Portugal for the first time just a day after he turned 22, his position as the great hope of the national team has long been established. But unlike in previous squads and tournaments, he shouldn't be branded as their only hope at Euro 2016.

Previously surrounded by players who looked to be on downward spirals in their careers, Ronaldo can now look around Portugal's training camp in France and see young players willing to fight for the cause.

In Renato Sanches, Portugal has a teenager about whom there is similar hype to that surrounding Ronaldo 12 years ago. Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, Danilo Pereira, William Carvalho and Andre Gomes might never reach that particular level of fame and fortune, but they are good, honest players who will work hard for their team. Jose Fonte is an experienced professional, and we've seen recently just how far that can get you.

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Add all of that to the experience Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves and Joao Moutinho have picked up from previous international failures—and the fact Portugal could probably have handpicked their group such is the makeup of it—and there's every reason to believe that trademark Ronaldo smile could be a permanent fixture in France.

But Portugal aren't considered as one of the favourites for the tournament, nor should they be.

Germany's cast list may have altered from the World Cup two years ago, but their technical excellence remains. Spain are capable of remarkable football, and passionate home support should fuel France.

None of those squads have a Ronaldo, though.

Playing in the centre of Portugal's attack with hard-working players around him, he could be the driving force behind a remarkable effort that takes his side far in the tournament.

You can never accuse Ronaldo of a lack of effort. Coupled with his desire to be the star, that should drive him in what may be the last tournament he plays in while he is at the peak of his remarkable powers.

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He'll be 33 when the World Cup in Russia rolls around in 2018, when he could be playing in France or England or maybe even China or MLS.

This version of Ronaldo is one that began to be forged 12 years ago, when Greece sprung international football's biggest surprise and he was left struggling to hold back tears that have come to haunt him throughout a trophyless international career.

He's already a star, already an icon and already has more wealth and trophies than one man could ever wish for, but would he trade them all for a golden month in France?

He doesn't have to, remember?

We have long seen Ronaldo as a man who wants it all. Now is the time for him to go out and grab it.