Legendary former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved almost everything there is to achieve in football. The iconic goalscorer has amassed a staggering 37 major trophies across club and international football, but he has never managed to get his hands on the World Cup, something he will be aiming to put right this summer.
Yet, despite all of his success, the former Real Madrid man has come under scrutiny for his role in the Portugal side, with many questioning whether the team would be a more threatening and balanced outfit without the 41-year-old in the starting line-up.
Ronaldo did start Portugal’s first game of the tournament against DR Congo but delivered a disappointing performance that served only to enhance the criticism the star is facing. In the first half of the match, the former United man failed to create any chances, take a shot, successfully take on an opponent, or win a duel.
A mixed season in Saudi
Ronaldo came into the World Cup on the back of winning his first major trophy in five years as his Al Nassr side clinched the Saudi Pro League Championship. The legendary striker enjoyed a prolific individual campaign too, as he scored a staggering 30 goals in just 37 appearances for the club.
It’s easy to forget, though, that the Portugal international actually went on strike in February as he believed other PIF-owned clubs were receiving preferential treatment in the transfer market. This was despite Ronaldo earning an estimated £500,000 per day.
Though this issue was put to bed rather swiftly, it highlights the fact that Ronaldo likes to be the star man at his clubs and, should he not feel respected, he is prone to lashing out just as he did during his time at United before his contract was terminated.
International struggles
Ronaldo will surely be more determined to win the World Cup than ever before, having seen his great rival Lionel Messi lift the coveted trophy four years ago. Despite his determination, though, Portugal’s most capped player has not impacted any of the last few major tournaments he has been a part of.
Ronaldo registered just a solitary goal at the 2022 World Cup and eventually lost his place in the starting line-up to Gonçalo Ramos. Moreover, the former Juventus striker did not find the back of the net once at Euro 24 as his side crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Ten Hag’s thoughts
It’s fair to say Erik ten Hag and Ronaldo did not enjoy the best of relationships during their time together at Old Trafford. The Dutch manager struggled to find a way to integrate Ronaldo into his team and, after becoming exasperated by his lack of minutes, the legendary goalscorer belittled Ten Hag and United in a scathing interview leading to the termination of his contract.
While working as a pundit for the World Cup, Ten Hag, speaking to channel NOS via FC Update, was asked if he had spoken to Ronaldo since the Portugal international left United. “Of course, I haven’t spoken to him since his departure.” Ten Hag responded.
Ten Hag then elaborated on his reasoning for dropping Ronaldo from the side: “As a coach, the team’s interest always comes before the individual interest. And at that moment, that didn’t fit.”
The former United manager then expressed doubt as to whether Ronaldo can still perform for his country. “At a certain point, and that is simply nature, it stops. And I am really very curious to see if he can still make an impact at this World Cup.
“I think he has a bit more of a chance at a World Cup like this, because it isn’t the Premier League in terms of intensity, nor is it the Champions League. So I believe he is still capable of something.
“Portugal actually has such an incredibly good team. They really should definitely reach the last four. But I wonder: with Ronaldo, that is the big challenge, of course. Will it fit?”
Only time will tell if this really is one World Cup too far for Ronaldo, but the Portugal international will be desperate to silence his critics with an incredible performance when his side meet Uzbekistan in their second group game.
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