Cristiano Ronaldo almost seems bigger than Portugal to the detriment of both himself and the team. He becomes the magnet for criticism, pinpointed as THE problem, seemingly absolving the others of accountability, whenever Portugal lose, but he also becomes disproportionately the conversation to the point where he looms over everyone else no matter what happens.
Portugal have to prepare for life after Cristiano at some point, even as it is abundantly clear that, at 41 and in the Saudi Pro League, he is still the best option they have at striker despite, you know, never really being an out and out striker in his career. But as Goncalo Ramos continues to flop for club and country in terms of taking that next step towards being a top striker, Ronaldo becomes harder and harder to leave on the bench.
At the same time, relying on Cristiano and burning him out, especially in elderly age, every week was never a winning strategy. And for as terrible as Ramos has been since his big money move to Paris, with his new move to Milan doing little to change the narrative either, the younger Portuguese forward still needs the minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being treated just like everyone else
Jorge Jesus, who is one of the few managers capable of speaking to Ronaldo after winning a title with him as his manager at Al Nassr before taking over the Portugal job for all-time coaching fraud Roberto Martinez, made the bold decision to make Cristiano an unused substitute for the first time in nearly 20 years. And Portugal won the game in the Nations League, taking down Erling Haaland and 2026 World Cup darlings Norway 2-1.
The Portuguese manager said of his main superstar, via Fabrizio Romano,“I was thinking of Cristiano to come in… but then the game dictates other things. I felt it wasn’t the right time to put him in the game, there are still two more games but it wasn’t to protect him physically. He was ready”.
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.