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Ronaldo remains the biggest focal point for Portugal at the age of 41. |
Portugal enters their match against Uzbekistan at midnight on June 24th with no room for error. Their draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the opening match has cost Roberto Martinez's team their composure. Another slip-up could turn the group stage into a nightmare.
But Portugal's problem isn't just about the points.
They are facing a different kind of battle, one that is more simmering and awkward: a match against Cristiano Ronaldo himself. At 41, Ronaldo remains the team's greatest icon. He still plays regularly, is still the focus of media attention, and his tactical decisions are still scrutinized under a special lens.
Portugal therefore entered the match against Uzbekistan under two pressures. They had to win to keep their World Cup hopes alive. And they had to prove that Ronaldo wasn't a burden in a team with so many attacking options.
That's what makes this match so dangerous.
Ronaldo and the enormous shadow he casts.
No player in Portuguese history has achieved the status of Ronaldo. 143 goals in 229 games is a colossal legacy. Six World Cups is an extraordinary journey. But the greater the legacy, the more difficult the question becomes.
Should Portugal still build their attack around Ronaldo?
This is no longer an offensive question. It's a professional one. Ronaldo still has the goal-scoring instinct, still has the charisma in the penalty area, and still has enough power to make opponents wary. But top-level football requires more than just a big name. It requires tempo, pressure, movement, and fit in with the team.
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Whether Ronaldo should start or be on the bench is becoming a major point of debate ahead of the match against Uzbekistan. |
In their opening match, Ronaldo failed to provide a convincing response. Portugal played sluggishly. They had possession, technical skill, and many players capable of creating breakthroughs, but their system lacked fluidity. When the result wasn't good, all eyes immediately turned to Ronaldo.
That's the price of being an icon.
Ronaldo is not just a player in the squad. He is an event. A missed opportunity by him can become a global topic. A statement related to him can spark controversy. Even Joao Neves' attempt to downplay the pressure by viewing Ronaldo as "a member of the team" was blown out of proportion.
That's the problem. In a normal team, that statement might fade away after a few hours. With Ronaldo's Portugal, it became a sign that the dressing room was under unusual pressure.
Roberto Martinez understands this. He can say everything is fine. The players can try to calm public opinion. But no one can deny that every Portugal game right now revolves around one question: Should Ronaldo continue to start, or is it time for him to step back?
That's not an easy question to answer. Dropping Ronaldo from the starting lineup is a decision that could shake the entire team. But continuing to use him regardless of his effectiveness is also a gamble.
Martinez is faced with two risky options.
Martinez's gamble
Portugal is not short of options. Joao Felix can bring fluidity and connection to the game. Rafael Leao has the speed to stretch the defense. Goncalo Ramos has proven he is cool-headed enough in big matches. These are not stopgap solutions. They are players of sufficient caliber to claim their place.
The question is, who has to give up their seat?
If Ronaldo remains a starter, the system must somewhat accommodate his playing habits. If Ronaldo is benched, Martinez will face a media storm and pressure from the biggest icon of Portuguese football. This is a problem that goes beyond just tactical considerations.
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Uzbekistan could complicate matters further. The Asian team is not an easy opponent. They are organized, disciplined, and have attacking players quick enough to punish mistakes. A team that plays with three central defenders, a low defensive line, and patiently waits for counter-attacks is always a difficult opponent for Portugal at the moment.
If Portugal had scored early, things could have been under control. Ronaldo could have become a symbol of the strong reaction. Martinez would have had even more reason to defend his choice.
But if the match drags on in a stalemate, the pressure will return very quickly.
Every mistake Ronaldo makes will be scrutinized. Every instance where Joao Felix, Leao, or Ramos are left out will be questioned. Every minute that passes without Portugal scoring will intensify the debate over "should Cristiano start or not?"
That is Portugal's worrying fragility.
A team aiming to win the World Cup cannot allow itself to be trapped in a personal debate. They need a clearer system than emotion. They need a stronger choice than mere reverence. They need to know whether Ronaldo is a weapon, a symbol, or a tactical issue.
Ronaldo deserves respect. But Portugal also deserves to be freed from the fear of having to make choices.
The match against Uzbekistan is therefore not just a game for Portugal to correct their initial misstep. It's a test of Martinez's character. Will he dare to use Ronaldo according to the team's needs, instead of letting the team continue to revolve around Ronaldo?
If Portugal wins, the debate might die down. If they stumble again, Ronaldo will be the center of attention more than just a player.
He will become a crisis for Portugal.
Source: https://znews.vn/martinez-mac-ket-giua-ronaldo-va-chien-thang-post1662407.html
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