In the remaining matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo might play a crucial part in the quest for his country's first-ever victory in the world's premier sporting event.
Or perhaps that moment won't arrive at all.
And he will need to accept it no matter what, or he runs the risk of tarnishing one of the greatest sporting legacies in history, one in which he presently stands alongside giants like Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, 37, has raged against the passing of time over the previous few years as he gets closer to what passes for old age and is constantly unhappy with his club status.Ronaldo was replaced after just 25 minutes due to a severe knee injury sustained in a tackle from France's Dimitri Payet, and Portugal ultimately won Euro 2016 (below) without him on the field. They may win the World Cup without him at the start or even not at all.
Messi and Ronaldo in Part 9 of "Destination: World Cup" Getty Images/Sporting News
He is now an adult and has 136 times served as a captain for his nation. There is no other option but to act professionally. If this side wins three more games in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo will be the one to receive the World Cup trophy.Oh, and that possibility undoubtedly seemed feasible as Portugal destroyed Switzerland's defense for a 6-1 victory in what many had at first thought was the most equally matched of the eight Round of 16 games, with 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos coming off the bench at the start.
Since taking over as head coach of Portugal's national team in 2014, Fernando Santos bravely decided to bench Cristiano Ronaldo after he started each of the side's three group games and registered one goal. Ramos, the player he chose to start at striker, had only received three caps for his country, two of which were at the World Cup but only lasted a total of 12 minutes.Ramos (below) scored three goals for Spain against Switzerland, starting with an amazing first goal that nearly tore the roof off the goal. His shot rifled into a minuscule space between the goalkeeper and the upper left corner.
After that, the Swiss had no chance.
2022 World Cup goal by Portugal's Goncalo Ramos vs Switzerland
In order to dispel the perception that it was connected to Ronaldo's response to being substituted off in the previous game against South Korea, Fernando Santos explained to the media after the game, "It's a strategic option that we've been preparing for a few days." He is a good example, and if he has to play, he will unquestionably benefit Portugal.Ronaldo attracted raucous cheers from his devoted following when he started to warm up on the sideline, early in the second half, when the game was still somewhat close. When the score hit 5-1, he was still on the bench, and it didn't seem conceivable that he would be asked to play in "garbage time" at the conclusion of a rout. But in the 73rd, Santos sent him out onto the field.
As he waited to enter, Ronaldo grinned. He then accepted the captain's armband from veteran teammate Pepe and made a futile attempt to score.
He went through the motions of praising his colleagues after the final horn. Ronaldo has before displayed ecstasy or happiness, and this was not that. Also, we've seen him, He posted all the appropriate things on Instagram following the game: "A historic outcome in the largest football championship in the world capped off an incredible day for Portugal. A talented and young team put on a strong performance. I'm happy for our national team. The vision is active! To the very end! Portugal, hurry up!"
In Qatar, will Cristiano Ronaldo's disposition alter?
Since his last season with Juventus in the summer of 2021, controlling him has been difficult. It went downhill from there when he joined Manchester United, who needed much more than a single aging forward, no matter how talented and accomplished he might be.
Although Ronaldo started 27 of his 30 games and scored 18 goals, Man United finished sixth in the Premier League.Ronaldo is about to join the Saudi Arabian league, where he will earn an incredible salary but receive little in return.
In the 1970s, American soccer fans witnessed how Pele gracefully resigned following a tribute game between the New York Cosmos and Santos, the only two clubs he had ever played for, and accepted the constraints that time had placed on his ability to compete. Initially hesitant, Lionel Messi fought to stay at FC Barcelona until the team's wasteful business practices pushed him to leave.
Ronaldo has accomplishments that rival or surpass those of these legends. Having scored in five World Cups, he is the only male player to do so. Greater than any other man, he has more global objectives. Only 70
blogpay
Total Comments: 0