Portugal is better off without former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Oliver Holt.
The Daily Mail journalist notes that while Ronaldo is to be commended for his achievement in scoring in five separate World Cups, his softly won penalty and subsequent conversion were his only real contribution to his team’s 3-2 victory. about Ghana.
Other than that, Holt suggests, Ronaldo’s performance was that of a player living on past achievements rather than actual contribution.
I would hardly disagree with him, or with the cries for Rafael Leao to take Ronaldo’s place in the Seleção’s starting XI.
The AC Milan winger scored almost immediately after his introduction and could become the cornerstone of a new Portugal side, freed from the compromises required by the inclusion of an egotistical 37-year-old.
Holt believes manager Felipe Santos would do well to drop number seven if that option were available to him.
Unfortunately, the media circus that would follow such a decision would certainly be all-encompassing.
How the dressing room would be affected would be another consideration, with Ronaldo clearly incapable of putting a team’s achievements above his own.
This has been especially apparent this season, with the Portugal star refusing to come on as a substitute and generally being a problematic character in response to finding himself without a guaranteed starting role.
It seems that between his past reputation and his current smugness, Ronaldo is unbeatable, regardless of his performance levels in the here and now.
Erik ten Hag handled the situation well at Manchester United, offering the legendary goalscorer every chance to succeed with him without being intimidated or cowed by his stardom.
That Ronaldo is now without a club has as much to do with his declining ability as it does with his attitude.
