The End of an Icon

While I land firmly on the Messi side of the equation; everyone should be entitled to their opinion. I also think it’s unfair to reduce their entire essence into what’s going on at this specific World Cup (or at the World Cup in general, for that matter). But I do think that there is a portion of the Ronaldo fandom that borders on delusional, refracting the entire Portuguese national football side through the prism of one man’s ego. And it has cost the national side dearly.

Cherry-picking stats

CR7 created one legitimately impressive piece of history in this year’s tournament, becoming the first man in history to score in six different instalments of the competition. That is a wonderful testament to his physical prowess and undisputed longevity. But beneath that stat, a more telling truth lurks. His Round of 32 penalty against Croatia was the only FIFA World Cup knockout goal of his entire career. Peak-Ronaldo was a beast on the Champions League stage, willing his teams to success with the kind of single-minded focus that it takes to reach his level of success. But all that BMT translated into a rather abject World Cup record (when it really mattered).

History repeats itself

But the most tragic thing about Rolando’s inability to come to terms with his footballing mortality is that it’s potentially squandering a golden age of Portuguese talent. Do you remember the conversations that followed Portugal’s elimination at the hands of Morocco during the last World Cup? People said he lacked the athleticism to lead the line in the deep stages of a major tournament. And they were right. What made Roberto Martinez and his coaching staff think that Ronaldo would suddenly recapture his effervescence four years later? The Ronaldo apologists are quick to point out the fact that Bruno, Vitinha and Neves were well below their best during the tournament. But perhaps the reason they were below their best is that they had no outlet for their creativity.

No willing runners

At club level, Vintinha and Neves have the likes of Mbappe, Dembelle and Barcola threatening to run in behind. Bruno broke Premier League assist records due to the progressive running of Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo. For Portugal, Ronaldo barely- if ever- makes a run behind defenders. Always obsessive about his appearance, Ronaldo has transformed into the type of Greek statue he moulded his body upon (it’s undoubtedly impressive to look at but isn’t moving anywhere in a hurry). He comes short continuously, frustrating a progressive passer like Fernandez into pointless recycling.

Hail to the King

And this isn’t purely Ronaldo’s fault. He has held the nation hostage to his ego for his years, but he wouldn’t be allowed to succeed if the enablers never existed. Roberto Martinez- who failed to get the megawatt personalities of Belgium to gel- should have known that CR7 was not the answer after that dire 0-0 draw with DR Congo. Ronaldo then opened his account on the flattest track imaginable, scoring a brace against debutants Uzbekistan before embarrassingly proclaiming “I’m back”. Martinez was backed into a corner after their de-facto god-king scored that brace, essentially forced to continue with him.

Martinez becomes latest martyr in CR7 death cult

But then something miraculous happened: Martinez grew a spine in the dying moments of the match against Croatia. He realized CR7 was basically a glorified mascot, throwing continual thumbs ups to his teammates after he failed to connect with ball after ball. Martinez yanked him off for Ruben Neves and put Goncalo Ramos up front. It worked a treat, as Ramos latched onto a magnificent cross from Leao to score a goal that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Ronaldo back catalogue. Why then, did Martinez revert to Ronaldo against Spain? And how didn’t Ramos get a minute of playing time? It was as if Martinez saw Ronaldo’s half-hearted celebrations after the Crotian win and realized that he needed to make Daddy happy. Because Ronaldo can’t really conceive of a Portuguese success story without being at the centre of it. And that belief has polluted their footballing psyche, paralysing their ability to make rational decisions (like Stockholm Syndrome).

A man alone

Just look at the way that Ronaldo broke down following that Spain defeat vs the way Messi celebrated Argentina’s comeback win against Egypt. Sure, it’s always going to be much easier to be a team player following a victory. But did you see the way Messi broke down in joy with his friends? The man who has achieved everything in the game wins and loses with the team (just look at the selfless way he plays). Ronaldo went into that traumatic hibernation mode after Portugal’s heartbreaking exit at the hands of Spain, standing in his own cocoon of self-pity and defeat. Even in defeat, everything is about him. Why not go and offer consolation to the young guys who have never experienced this type of heartache before? It was yet another example of his ego (or aura, as the kids call it these days) taking centre stage. Ronaldo’s painful World Cup failure is a lesson in how main character syndrome can pervert a team endeavour (Ben Stokes, anyone).

Going forward

It’s time for the Portuguese footballing hierarchy to say enough is enough. Ronaldo said he may not play another World Cup but doesn’t have any immediate plans to retire. That sounds ominously like his words after the Qatari World Cup. He’s becoming that one much older guy who makes his mates cringe when they all go to the club together. Portugal need to do what Sir Alex did with Roy Keane and think of the long-term stability of their organization. I don’t think Portugal will ever achieve what they want to achieve without escaping Ronaldo’s vice-like grip on their country’s footballing landscape.