Portugal would be stronger if Ronaldo agreed to step back.

At 41, with his peak long gone, Cristiano Ronaldo should perhaps accept a more humble role if he wants Portugal to go far in the 2026 World Cup.

The World Cup is not a lucky ground for Ronaldo.

If you were to compile a list of the best players in European football history, Cristiano Ronaldo would always have a prominent place in the top 10, perhaps even the top 5 or top 3. Similarly, when it comes to the list of the best players in the Champions League, few players can surpass the 41-year-old striker. And as for the list of the greatest players of all time, however much debate there may be, Ronaldo is probably only second to Lionel Messi among the contemporary legends.

Ronaldo is participating in his sixth World Cup with Portugal.

Photo: AFP

However, Ronaldo is absent from the list of the 50 greatest players in World Cup history. After 20 years of playing in the World Cup, his impact has been rather lackluster. CR7's first World Cup appearance was in 2006. Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal reached the semi-finals, but Ronaldo's only notable contribution was a controversial wink after causing England's Wayne Rooney to receive a red card in the quarter-finals. In 2010, Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16, failing to score in three out of four matches. In 2014, when Ronaldo was at his peak, Portugal were eliminated in the group stage, with only one goal against Ghana.

Ronaldo had a perfect start to the 2018 World Cup with a hat-trick against Spain, followed by another goal against Morocco. Portugal then drew 1-1 with Iran in the final group stage match, and were subsequently eliminated by Uruguay in the round of 16. Ronaldo was lackluster in both of these matches. The 2022 World Cup was even more forgettable, with Ronaldo embroiled in controversy over claiming a goal that Bruno Fernandes had scored, and then disappearing in the 0-1 defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals. That same year, his rival Lionel Messi won the tournament with Argentina.

Is Ronaldo on the bench?

Despite their failure at the 2022 World Cup, coach Fernando Santos set a precedent that current coach Roberto Martinez could learn from by benching Ronaldo. In the match against Switzerland, with Ronaldo absent, Goncalo Ramos shone with a hat-trick, helping his team win 6-1. It was a rare occasion in an important match where Ronaldo was sidelined despite being fully fit. It was a difficult but necessary choice. Portugal, regardless of the circumstances, needs collective strength rather than relying on individual talent, especially when that individual has been unsuccessful at the World Cup even during his prime, let alone now that he is past his prime.

The Saudi Pro League championship with 28 goals was a reward for Ronaldo's efforts with Al Nassr. However, it's clear that four years away from Europe and the burden of age have taken away Ronaldo's speed, agility, and trademark dribbling skills. At EURO 2024, Ronaldo finished the tournament with 0 goals and one missed penalty, despite starting all 5 matches. The moment CR7 was given a few meters' lead by William Saliba (France) but still managed to catch up shows that he is unlikely to become a quality forward capable of converting passes from top midfielders like Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha into goals.

In the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, Portugal will face Congo, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. Coach Martinez's team needs to win, and to do so, Ronaldo may have to step back when necessary to make way for faster, stronger, and more versatile players. Collective strength is what Portugal needs, rather than individual brilliance, even if that individual is Ronaldo.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-dao-nha-manh-hon-neu-ronaldo-chap-nhan-lui-lai-18526060122091877.htm