Cristiano Ronaldo has been reduced to the superstar role no one wants after Portugal followed Manchester United’s lead in deciding they could be better off without him.
And better off without him they certainly were as Portugal rewarded coach Fernando Santos’ courage by dropping his country’s sporting icon with the all-around attacking performance and a 6-1 victory over hosts Switzerland. a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.
Santos was not only vindicated for his decision to knock out Ronaldo after he publicly criticized his actions when he was substituted in the final group game against South Korea, he hit the jackpot as his young replacement Goncalo Ramos looked the real deal as he netted a stunning hat trick. .
It was a deadly time for the considerable pride and ego of Ronaldo, 37, as his Manchester United career first ended in acrimony following public criticism of the club and now Portugal have done what which was previously unthinkable – at least dating back 31 games. and before Euro 2008 – and dropped him from their starting lineup at a major tournament.
It was certainly the bravest call-up of this World Cup and the greatest of Santos’ eight years in charge of Portugal.
Santos, despite a Euro 2016 victory on his CV, will have known what was at stake by making this seismic change. If Portugal had lost, they would have known who would carry the box for their World Cup exit and it wouldn’t have been Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead, Santos watched with his usual stern expression as Portugal looked a more dynamic, fluid and menacing side without their full attention being on Ronaldo’s often overwhelming presence.
Portugal moved smoothly into midfield with Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes in charge, and past 21-year-old Benfica striker Ramos, previously unknown at this type of goal-scoring stadium, carried to the slight all the burden he might have felt as a substitute for Ronaldo. .
Previously subdued but highly talented Joao Felix looked liberated, much like the rest of the Portugal squad.
Ramos’ hat-trick came in a variety of very well-taken forms via a finish near the post from Swiss keeper Jan Sommer, then a strike near the post from a poacher off a cross, before a clever dink for his hat-trick. Some first complete departures from Portugal.
Ronaldo, prior to this match, had played 514 minutes of World Cup knockout football without a goal. Ramos managed three in 67 minutes.
Pepe, the 39-year-old defensive workhorse, showed age was not a factor in Santos’ thoughts as he led the second while Ramos showed he can make them as well as score them when he set up Raphael Guerriero to make it 4-0.
And through it all, Ronaldo sat, cameras trained on every facial expression as the Portuguese national hero saw the first signs of his international career following his Manchester United career in the past.
It was swarmed by hundreds of cameramen once the national anthems were over and there was an almost testimonial feel to what happened once Portugal proved they were superior to their absence by routing a Switzerland bitterly disappointing.
Ramos had made it 5-1, Portugal were cruising, when a huge roar of ‘Ronaldo’ started sweeping across the vast Lusail Stadium, followed by chants of his trademark ‘Siu’.
It appeared to be a large number of locals who had paid their money to see Ronaldo in the flesh who were leading the claims. Perhaps it was even the suffering Swiss fans who hoped that Santos would take down their tormentor Ramos.
Santos gave in with 16 minutes to go, sending Ronaldo in place of Joao Felix to a pop star reception.
It was all vaguely awkward – even a little embarrassing – as the waning talisman trotted out to make what looked like a personal appearance rather than a meaningful contribution in a World Cup knockout tie.
There was an air of anticipation every time Ronaldo received the ball, those inside the arena desperate to see some of the old magic. They almost saw him when he hit a shot, but the boos rang out when the offside flag went up.
Even Ronaldo’s brief stint in the limelight was robbed of him when another brilliant young Portuguese striker, Rafael Leao, came on and claimed that landslide victory with the kind of finish, curled up in the top corner, who is already 23- formerly marked as a future star at AC Milan.
At the final whistle, Ronaldo applauded the crowd and then was the first in the tunnel, leaving the real celebrations to those who deserved it, namely his Portugal team-mates who had delivered their best performance of this World Cup. and which will threaten anyone who behaves in this way. .
Ronaldo can still make a decisive contribution to this tournament – he is trying to attract a new club after all – but it is hard to see him making a starter against Morocco.
After being fired at Manchester United for his petulance and outspokenness about the club’s hierarchy, he now finds himself marginalized in a territory where he must have thought himself even more untouchable with Portugal.
As the old saying goes, Ronaldo was once the future. It looks more and more like the past and the future belongs to emerging stars such as Ramos and Leao.
What now for the fallen idol of club and country? Surely the bench at best against Morocco.
