"We know what Cristiano has done for us, but right now, he is like us. He's just another player who is here to help us. He is like everyone else." These few words, whispered by João Neves after Portugal's disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, were perceived as a crime of lèse-majesté. On social media, the European champions, his partner, and Bruno Fernandes—who had the misfortune of liking a post from the Parisian gem—were subjected to a wave of cyberbullying.

Currently, Ronaldo himself is a problem. And he is being imposed on a system that rejects him. Portugal is heading for disaster, victim of its stubbornness in refusing to see the obvious, as journalist Luís Mateus wrote in his editorial. The quote from Mateus, a veteran football writer, captures the essence of the crisis: "Currently, he is himself a problem. And he is imposed on a model that rejects him. Portugal runs to its ruin, victim of its obstinacy in refusing to see the evidence."

The Burden of Greatness

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest footballer of all time, with five Ballon d'Or awards, an array of Champions League titles, and a European Championship trophy with Portugal in 2016. Yet his late-career trajectory has been marred by controversy and declining effectiveness. At 41, after a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, Ronaldo's presence in the Portugal squad has become a double-edged sword.

The numbers are stark. In major tournaments (World Cup and European Championship), Ronaldo has now gone ten matches without scoring. Against the Democratic Republic of Congo, his performance was ghostly: three shots (none on target), zero dribbles attempted, and just 25 touches of the ball. It was a performance that would see any other player dropped, but for Ronaldo, the rules are different.

This goal drought is unprecedented for a player of his caliber. To understand the magnitude, consider that from Euro 2004 to the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo averaged a goal every two games in major tournaments. His last goal in such events came against Morocco in the 2018 World Cup group stage. Since then, he has played 10 matches—including all of Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup—without finding the net.

The Toxic Atmosphere

The problem extends beyond the pitch. The Ronaldo-mania has created a toxic atmosphere within the squad and among the fan base. When João Neves, a 20-year-old midfielder, made his innocuous comment about Ronaldo being "just another player," the backlash was immediate and vicious. Nearly 300,000 messages flooded Neves' Instagram post—many of them abusive—simply because he suggested that the team should not revolve around the superstar.

This is not an isolated incident. In 2016, Ronaldo threw a reporter's microphone into a lake. More recently, after Portugal's early exit from the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo was criticized for his behavior on the bench and his unwillingness to accept a substitute role. The pattern is clear: any perceived slight against the legend is met with a wave of cyberbullying from his vast fan army.

The silence from Ronaldo himself is deafening. A few days ago, he posted a single Instagram story—a photo with teammates after training, captioned "All united"—but that is far from sufficient. A player of his stature, with the captain's armband, should be defending his teammates in the press, deflecting criticism, and focusing the debate on football. Instead, he lets the storm rage on, allowing his followers to target his own colleagues.

Coach's Complicity

Roberto Martínez, the Portuguese coach, bears significant responsibility. Against Congo, with the team struggling to break down a low block, Martínez chose to substitute midfielder Vitinha for striker Gonçalo Ramos—rather than daring to bench Ronaldo. When questioned, he replied: "It wouldn't have made sense to replace the greatest goalscorer in football history when we needed to score."

This special treatment is puzzling, especially given that Martínez's predecessor, Fernando Santos, had the courage to drop Ronaldo for the round of 16 match against Switzerland in 2022—a decision that resulted in a 6-1 thrashing. Martínez, however, seems unwilling to make the same tough call, perhaps because of his own contractual situation. Rumors suggest he has already decided to leave the national team after the tournament to join Al-Nassr—the very club where Ronaldo plays. Such a conflict of interest raises serious questions about his impartiality.

Historical Parallels

The current situation echoes past controversies. In 2016, after Portugal's Euro triumph, there were already whispers of Ronaldo's influence causing rifts. But the team's success masked the problems. Now, without the wins, the cracks are showing. The Portuguese press has been relentless, with headlines like "The Portuguese have not yet rid themselves of this burden" and "CR7 is crushing the team."

This is not just about one player's form; it's about the identity of the entire team. Portugal boasts talents like João Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and several Paris Saint-Germain stars—all world-class. Yet the entire focus remains on Ronaldo, who has become an albatross around the team's neck.

The Way Forward

Portugal faces Uzbekistan on Tuesday, needing a win to secure progression to the round of 16. The pressure is immense. A goal from Ronaldo would temporarily calm the storm, but it would not solve the underlying problem. The team needs to play as a collective, not as a tribute act to one man.

Interestingly, Francisco Conceição, another young Portuguese player, walked on eggshells when asked about Ronaldo: "I think when it comes to scoring goals, there is no one like Cristiano. But we don't feel the need or obligation to give him the ball. I pass to the best-positioned player." This statement, though innocuous, nearly sparked another online firestorm.

The Portugal squad is reportedly divided, with some players frustrated by the preferential treatment and others fiercely loyal. This lack of unity could prove fatal in a tournament where cohesion is key.

Ronaldo's Legacy

None of this diminishes Ronaldo's incredible achievements. He is the all-time top scorer in football history, with over 900 career goals. He has won everything there is to win, from the Champions League to the European Championship. But every athlete has an expiration date; the greatest ones know when to step aside gracefully.

For now, Ronaldo refuses to accept his diminished role. His ego, which drove him to greatness, now threatens to undo all the goodwill he built over two decades. The Portugal team, once united in its pursuit of glory, is now fractured by the very icon who helped put them on the map.

As the match against Uzbekistan approaches, all eyes will be on the captain. Will he rise to the occasion and silence his critics, or will he continue to be the poison that corrodes the Seleção's World Cup dream? The answer will define not only Portugal's tournament but also Ronaldo's final chapter on the international stage.

Source: SOFOOT.com News