Cristiano Ronaldo is running on empty in his quest for Euro 2016 glory with Portugal

The bad won’t last for ever, said Cristiano Ronaldo. He has to keep restating that, to keep believing it, for what else is there? An admission that, at 31, he is increasingly raging against the dying of the light may be too much for his fragile ego.

Ronaldo will be 33 for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 35 when the next European Championship fragments across Europe in 2020.

This may be it, in France; the last tournament when he truly has the power to decide the outcome of a game, alone.

Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of international glory is fading and this could be his last chance on the big stage

The Real Madrid forward missed his chance to shine from the penalty sport against Austria on Saturday

Ronaldo's Portugal stand on the brink of elimination despite being drawn in a favourable group

Teams have plans to deal with Ronaldo, he needs more support form his Portugal team-mates