Cristiano Ronaldo headed for another selection ruckus caused by sentimental storyline

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be caught in the middle of another Portugal selection dilemma — caused by the most sentimental storyline of Euro 2024's first week.

The coincidences surrounding the winning goal scored by Francisco Conceicao in the 92nd minute against Czechia, after Ronaldo had battled hard but missed a series of chances, were almost too good to be true.

Conceicao is the son of an outstanding and loyal servant of the Portugal national team. His father, Sergio, played for a series of elite European clubs and represented his country 56 times, with his finest hour coming in this very same tournament.

At Euro 2000, Sergio Conceicao clinched Group A for Portugal with a stunning hat-trick against Germany, a spectacular performance that was the decisive factor in a 3-0 win in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

That effort took place almost 24 years earlier to the day — June 20, 2000 — before the younger Conceicao made his remarkable Euros entrance in only his fifth national team appearance. Francisco, who plays for Porto, was not even born when his dad tore the German defense apart.

"Francisco is the ultimate example of earning it," head coach Roberto Martinez told reporters. "He deserves to be here and showed he is ready to help the group.

"He is doing what he has been doing the past four months at (Porto). He showed character and showed his worth. He is a very mature player. He plays very direct. He has got a nose for danger. For (me) to have a player do what he did, that's very important."

For all the excitement caused by the 21-year-old's impact on Tuesday, being grabbed for a hug by Ronaldo himself at the final whistle, it is only going to add to the growing controversy hanging over the Portugal camp.

Ronaldo remains