Cristiano Ronaldo will have 'perfect ending' back in Europe as Portugal prepare for France Euro 2024 clash

Ronaldo missed a penalty against Slovenia on Monday, with the forward crying after Jan Oblak tipped his effort onto the post.

He did make amends in the penalty shootout, scoring first for Portugal as they went on to win following three outstanding saves from goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Ronaldo currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and is contracted to the club until next summer.

But Mendes, who played alongside the veteran for Portugal during his playing days, can't see his old team-mate staying in the Middle East.

Instead, the former Tottenham star thinks Ronaldo will go back to Sporting Lisbon - where he started his career.

"I think the perfect ending will be with Sporting, where everything started," he said while speaking to BoyleSports about Euro 2024 betting.

"He has had an amazing career and Sporting would provide him with a romantic ending.

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"He is one of the two best footballers of all time and to finish where it all started would be perfect."

Ronaldo started off as a teenager at Sporting and had interest from a host of clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.

He joined Manchester United in 2003 after impressing against the Red Devils in a pre-season friendly, with the forward touching down as a replacement for David Beckham.

Ronaldo would leave United for Real Madrid six years later and, in the time since, has established himself as one of the best players of all time.

With no goal at Euro 2024 so far, however, pressure is mounting on the veteran ahead of tonight's match with France.

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But Mendes is adamant Ronaldo's moment will come.

"He has been so close, inches away from scoring," he said.

"In terms of the penalty you have to say fair play to Jan Oblak, it was a fantastic save.

"The good thing is that the chances are coming and he’s been so close, hopefully against France he can get his goal."

Portugal beat France in the final of Euro 2016 as they won the prestigious prize.

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And Mendes is hoping for a similar result.

"Portugal vs France is a rematch of the 2016 final and I hope it will have the same result," he added.

"They are two great teams and this could easily be a final. France are playing well, but Portugal haven’t been.

"The best game was against Turkey, against Georgia and Slovakia they were poor, but every game is different and hopefully it will be a different story.

"Portugal normally play well against teams that want to play which leaves an open game, that could be the case in their quarter-final.

"Portugal definitely need to step up and be at their best against France and we do have a fantastic squad.

"I think it's a 50-50 game. Both teams have a chance to go through and hopefully Portugal will do it.

"It will be a game with goals, we both have fantastic players up front as well as good defenders, but so many players who can create and finish chances - neither side will want this to go to penalties.

"I am predicting goals and a 2-1 win for Portugal."