Questions swirling around Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal national team intensified after his unexpected penalty miss against Denmark on a recent Sunday night. For many fans, this moment was discomforting — a reminder that even legends have their off days.
Ronaldo, without a doubt, is hailed as Portugal’s greatest-ever player. With an astonishing tally of 135 goals in 218 appearances, he has set a high bar that will be tough for any future player to reach. However, as he stands on the threshold of 40, debate is rising about whether the superstar still has it in him to perform at the level that once made him an icon in world football. It’s hard to shake off the image of a once-unstoppable force now appearing more like an asthmatic ant, struggling to carry the weight of heavy shopping through a bustling market.
In the Saudi Pro League, where he’s still managing to score with impressive ease for Al-Nassr, his performances in more significant tournaments, such as Euro 2024, have felt notably lacking. Those five matches brought him no goals, leaving fans wondering if it was time for a change. His missed penalty kick against Slovenia in the last 16 didn’t help either, as supporters struggled to suppress their laughter and frustrations.
Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, seems hesitant to question Ronaldo’s spot in the lineup. It’s almost as if the team is walking on eggshells around the living legend, preparing not just to strategize for matches, but to ensure a grand welcome for him once he returns to the dressing room. It’s a curious phenomenon, considering that subbing out or resting a player for the greater good seems to be off the table.
During a high-pressure moment in their Nations League play-off second leg against Denmark, Ronaldo took a step back and in what seemed to be a rare show of team spirit, passed the ball to Bruno Fernandes, expecting a successful score. Unfortunately, it turned into a comical misfire when Ronaldo struck a weak penalty directly into the gloves of Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel. For fans, the tension in the air turned into a mental countdown — perhaps to the day when Ronaldo might decide to hang up his iconic boots for good.
Fernandes, in an odd twist of irony, was seen celebrating before Ronaldo even took the penalty, a questionable choice given the captain’s well-documented struggles from the spot. Perhaps Bruno thought that projecting confidence might ease the mounting pressure on Ronaldo, who, let’s be honest, isn’t performing at the same dazzling level that he once did.
Martinez, prior to the match, defended Ronaldo against growing criticism. His unwavering support suggested a deep loyalty to the player, as he argued that tactical flexibility should dictate player usage — not just Ronaldo’s age. “If Cristiano scores,” Martinez said, “he’s the most important player in the team. If he doesn’t, it’s easy to blame age — that’s not fair.”
Yet, Portuguese journalists were quick to pounce on Ronaldo’s lackluster form, pressing him with questions about his ability to complete matches at this level. Ronaldo, who is known for his intensity and passion, did not shy away from responding to the media. “There’s a lot of negativity surrounding the national team,” he said. “Some questions were disrespectful. If you want my answers, look me in the eyes when you ask them.”
Adding a dash of drama to the mix, Ronaldo was able to score later in the match, converting a half-chance after Schmeichel had parried a shot from Fernandes. While this moment of triumph provided a brief respite from the barrage of questions about his future, the earlier penalty miss continued to hover in the air like a lingering cloud, raising ongoing doubts about his place in the team and the curious disconnect between him and his teammate Fernandes.
Ronaldo, as fans know all too well, is a player who has always operated with the highest standards, both for himself and others. The journey of a player who has defied age and expectations seems to be in murky waters, and it’s a story many relate to — that moment we feel we haven’t quite kept pace with what once came so naturally. In many ways, this saga is not just about football; it’s a reflection of the universal struggle against the inexorable passage of time, showcasing how even the immortal can feel humanly fragile.
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