Old guard gone
Two years on from his international retirement, the 35-year-old still has immense pulling power. His stepping back from international football, along with that of Rui Costa, Fernando Couto and Pauleta, has given the Portuguese squad a significantly more youthful look in comparison with the side that thrilled the home nation in UEFA EURO 2004™.

Great presence
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted this week in an interview that the senior players' loss was felt in the squad, but insisted that what his current charges lacked in experience, they will more than make up for in physical fitness as well as technical ability. Significantly, Scolari also stated his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo already has the same significance as a team leader as Figo, saying that the 23-year-old's presence was comparable to that of the FC Internazionale Milano veteran.

The "new" Figo?
One of the key aspects of Ronaldo’s rise over the last few years has been his astonishing work-rate. And the intensity with which he has trained since arriving in Switzerland has been one of the most notable aspects of Portugal’s UEFA EURO 2008™ preparation. Can Ronaldo become as important a figure to Portugal as Figo? Is he already? Let us know what you think.