Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the worst starting eleven in the World Cup group stage.
Ronaldo was named alongside other players who did not perform well, most of whom were knocked out and did not advance to the round of 16. This was based on the match statistics.
The 37-year-old has had a rocky start to the World Cup, only scoring once from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo appears to have carried his poor United form over to Qatar, which now sees the five-time Ballon d’Or winner named in the shock squad.
The Mail reports: “SofaScore, announcing their worst World Cup knockout side, put Ronaldo in front with an average rating of 6.37 over his three matches.”
“SofaScore’s own clarification is that only players who had played 60 percent of the minutes in the group stage were eligible.”
“However, it remains an unwanted gong for a player whose top media confidante, Piers Morgan, declared he was playing for a move to a ‘Champions League club’ in Qatar.”
The Mail adds that in Ronaldo’s Portugal displays, he found himself frustrated for much of his time on the pitch and constantly resorted to blaming his teammates.
The Portugal captain’s misery was compounded when the ball bounced off his back against South Korea into the path of Kim Young-Gwon, who guided it into the back of the net.
The worst starting eleven in the World Cup group stage also features four players from the Qatari national team, two from Canada, two from Costa Rica, one from Saudi Arabia and one from Australia.
Stats reveal the WORST XI of the World Cup group stage ????
Look who’s in front ???? pic.twitter.com/lLErYxnDoE
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 3, 2022
For most United fans, this latest development by Ronaldo is a vindication of both their own opinion and that of the manager, Erik ten Hag.
Fortunately, Ronaldo’s departure paves the way for another goalscorer who fits the brand of football that the coach wants to implement.
