Before Portugal – Spain: Cristiano Ronaldo, a status that raises questions in Portugal

A crime of lèse-majesté. That we had not necessarily seen coming so early to Portugal. The role of Cristiano Ronaldo is on the table in the western Iberian Peninsula. On Monday, the sports daily A Bola even dared to do what no one imagined a few months ago: to note that CR7 has less influence on the Seleção and that it perhaps takes up too much space within the selection. . “Less Ronaldo, more Portugal”, headlined the Portuguese newspaper, which even believes that the Manchester United striker could start on the bench against Spain on Tuesday, as last June during the first leg against La Roja (1-1). A small earthquake.

Confined to a frustrating role of understudy at United since this summer when he tried to leave the North of England, Cristiano Ronaldo still seemed untouchable with his country. We are still talking about a sacred monster. His 117 goals – a world record – in 190 caps place him among the living legends. He is an idol for a whole country, who has already left an indelible mark with his crazy career even if he does not intend to stop for a few more years. But now, the start of the 2022-2023 season has changed the situation.

Mute seven times in his last eight caps

It is the current level of CR7 that puts him particularly at the heart of this discussion. Limited to Manchester, Cristiano Ronaldo no longer necessarily has the same performance as in the past. And it’s not illogical when he turns 38 in a few months. His volume of play is no longer the same. Neither does its impact. Author of 30.2% of the goals of his country when he was on the ground since 2003 as revealed by A Bola, the serial-scorer from Funchal has panicked less with the statistics in recent months. Despite his brilliance against Switzerland in June – a double and an assist (4-0) -, CR7 has scored only two goals in his last eight selections. Against Switzerland precisely.

We are far from what he had accustomed us to. And that’s why the topic exists. Because if CR7 was as lethal as before, no one would have doubts about his role. The richness of the Portuguese breeding ground in the offensive field however also lowers the cards on the influence of the superstar of Madeira. Between Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, João Félix or even Bernardo Silva and to a lesser extent Gonçalo Guedes, Portugal has a great wealth to take care of its offensive animation. And during this time, Bruno Fernandes endorses him more and more the status of leader. What to wonder about the almost automatic presence in recent years of CR7 in the starting lineup? The question is valid.

There is, however, a catch for those who would like to see Ronaldo in a bit less demand. The numbers 9 are not legion in Portugal. While André Silva is going through a difficult pass with Leipzig (0 goals in the Bundesliga and C1 this season) and has not been called up this month, Fernando Santos has only retained a nine for this gathering. Before calling on the young Eagles striker Gonçalo Ramos, for whom this is the first call after the surprise announcement of the international retirement of Benfica midfielder Rafa Silva.

Despite his short playing time in Manchester, Cristiano Ronaldo therefore remains essential in the minds of the coach, who always defends him. “He had three or four chances to score. Sometimes he hit badly, other times he hit well but he didn’t score. It’s part of football. But he worked a lot for the team. If he hadn’t opened up the spaces, some goals wouldn’t have happened,” Fernando Santos said on Saturday after the success of his training in the Czech Republic (0-4). The fear generated by the presence of the fivefold Ballon d’Or necessarily weighs on the opposing defenses. And the last match played without CR7 pushes in this direction as Portugal had spoiled in front of goal against Switzerland (1-0 defeat) in June.

However, Portugal could also offer something else without him. With for example a Diogo Jota, who regularly evolves in the axis in Liverpool. The idea must also necessarily make its way into the minds of the staff of the 2016 European champions, well aware that Ronaldo is not eternal even if he hopes to last for a long time (“I want to be present at the World Cup and also at the Euro (2024) I assume it. My ambition is great”, he warned). A few months before the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself at the heart of the debates within his country. This is not necessarily a first for him and he has so far always been able to respond on the ground by multiplying the goals. It’s up to him to give it back. Once again. History to write a little more his legend.