The touch map reveals the truth about Ronaldo.

The 25-touch map against Croatia shows that Ronaldo is still dangerous, but his role for Portugal has clearly narrowed.

25 touches in 81 minutes is a modest number for a starting attacking player. Looking at Opta's map, it's clear that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer a constant presence in Portugal's playing style. He doesn't drop deep much, doesn't participate in ball-carrying, and is no longer a regular link in build-up play.

But fewer balls don't mean harmless.

Few shadows, but not invisible.

Ronaldo's touches are concentrated mainly in the final third of the pitch, where a single touch can change the game. That's the image of Ronaldo at 41: no longer covering the entire pitch, but still choosing to position himself in areas that defenders must be wary of.

Against Croatia, he scored from the penalty spot. Before that, Ronaldo also controlled the ball and chipped it over the goalkeeper, but it was disallowed for offside. Just a few such instances are enough to remind us that his goal-scoring instinct hasn't disappeared.

The problem is that Ronaldo no longer influences the game in the same way. He doesn't dictate the tempo. He's no longer the player constantly receiving the ball to create chances. His value lies in his lurking presence, his positional awareness, and the psychological weight that the name Ronaldo brings to the penalty area.

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Portugal needs to choose the right timing.

The most difficult question for Roberto Martinez isn't whether or not to use Ronaldo. The real question is how to use Ronaldo.

If he's kept on the pitch, Portugal has a player who always knows how to be in key areas. But in return, the team loses some of its pressing intensity, speed of movement, and ability to refresh the attack. If he's taken off, Martinez is risking touching the biggest icon of Portuguese football.

Coach Roberto Martinez substituted Ronaldo in the 81st minute.

Against Croatia, coach Martinez opted for the second option. Ronaldo left the field in the 81st minute. Goncalo Ramos then scored the decisive goal. That decision doesn't prove Ronaldo is past his prime. It simply shows that Portugal has entered a phase where emotions can no longer override strategy.

Ronaldo still has value. But that value must be considered within the overall structure. He can be the one to open the scoring, equalize, or put pressure in the penalty area. But he is no longer the only option for every crucial moment.

The 25-touch map is therefore not an indictment of Ronaldo. It's an explanation of his new role: less possession, closer to the goal, and greater reliance on the quality of support from his teammates.

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Portugal still needs Ronaldo. But they also need Ramos, Leao, and younger players to change the tempo of the game when needed. That's the difference between a team tied to the past and a team that knows how to use the past to move forward.

Ronaldo isn't finished. He's just no longer the whole story. And perhaps it was Portugal's understanding of that that helped them survive against Croatia.

Source: https://znews.vn/ban-do-cham-bong-phoi-bay-su-that-ve-ronaldo-post1665528.html