Euro 2016: 5 players who must perform in the tournament

1) Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal

Ronaldo still has a lot to prove on the international stage

Everyone knows how close Portugal came to winning Euro 2004 on their home turf and Cristiano Ronaldo’s team will be looking to go one better in France this time around. Greece wrecked the fairy-tale ending for Ronaldo 12 years ago, however, the Seleccao do have an easy group to navigate in 2016.

Hungary, Austria and Iceland aren’t the toughest in the world but these sides can spring a surprise against the favourites from the group. International football has not been as fruitful for Ronaldo as club football has been and the UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid would want to correct that.

Portugal have done pretty well in recent Euro competitions with a quarterfinal exit in 2008 and a semifinal loss to eventual winners Spain in 2012. In the last international competition, though, the Portuguese were knocked out in the group stage and that will sting the side more than ever.

The side do have a few players who could be surprise stars in Renato Sanches, Joao Mario and William Carvalho but all eyes will be on the 31-year-old who would want to take Portugal all the way to the final and cap off an incredible season with the Euro crown.