It was early October in Lisbon when four friends embarked on a hitchhiking mission to Qatar, with the ultimate goal of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in what is sure to be his final appearance on the world’s biggest stage.
“It was a beautiful moment,” beamed the 37-year-old after scoring Portugal’s first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot in a win over Ghana.
He may have left Manchester United in turmoil, but the natural order was restored with Portugal – Ronaldo was breaking records, and the traveling quartet waving a piece of cardboard bearing his name had satisfied their to-do list ambitions.
Back in Lisbon, where his rise to five Ballon d’Ors began 20 years ago, some pragmatists have suggested Portugal are playing better without him, and columnists have claimed the striker’s legacy has been tarnished through an interview with Piers Morgan. But on the front pages of newspapers and in the minds of many fans, Ronaldo was still hailed as his country’s footballing immortal.
“Whenever we say we’re from Portugal, the next words we hear are ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’,” says podcaster Filipe Ingles. “He’s probably the most famous person in the world.
“Whenever he moves to the left, everyone moves to the left. When he moves to the right, everyone moves to the right. The moment he scores a goal, everyone goes in in euphoria.”
But football is changing fast, even for someone with such a long and illustrious career as Ronaldo. His outburst against boss Fernando Santos when he came on as a substitute in the final group game against South Korea swayed public opinion.
A poll by national sports newspaper A Bola showed 70% want the country’s top international scorer ruled out for the knockout stages against Switzerland. Santos, who expressed his own displeasure with Ronaldo’s actions, agreed.
“Ronaldo is an absolute hero for the Portuguese people and for football fans, whether Portuguese or not,” Portuguese journalist Hugo Pedro Queiros told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Here in Qatar, you see this every day. However, people are starting to realize and understand that every star has its twilight and Ronaldo’s twilight is coming. Father Time is relentless and you can’t beat him.”
The same determination that carried Ronaldo to the top may also mean he is the last to see his own twilight rush.
But watching from the bench – at least for the first 73 minutes – as Portugal delivered their most devastating performance without him may have pushed the penny closer to the edge, if substitute Goncalo Ramos’ superb hat-trick didn’t. hasn’t already dropped.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will always be Cristiano Ronaldo – the best ever,” former Portugal team-mate Jose Fonte told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Let’s not forget what he did for us and who he still is. Just leaving the substitutes’ bench causes problems for the opposition.”
Looking at the ravenous press kit goals, his lower lip flared like an injured toddler, there was a rare vulnerability about Ronaldo in a substitute’s vest. He’s used to the spotlight, but not this projector.
It was the first time since 2008 that he hadn’t started a major tournament game and Ronaldo was undoubtedly unhappy. The Portuguese Football Federation even felt the need to issue a statement denying threatening to leave the camp. However, as his teammate Bruno Fernandes joked, which player would be happy to sit on the bench?
“He means so much to Portugal,” former international team-mate Ricardo Rocha told BBC Sport. “But he’s not in a good phase and footballers go through that sometimes in their careers. The manager proved it was the best choice because we played a fantastic game.
“Ronaldo is focused on the national team; he knows how important it is for us and when Portugal win, everyone wins – he understands that. He is always an inspiration to other players; always an example. He is still an incredible and fantastic player.”
Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo and AC Milan striker Rafael Leao have joined Ronaldo as substitutes, demonstrating the immense depth at Santos’ disposal. On the pitch, emerging from the shadow of their great talisman, Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and 39-year-old defender Pepe have established themselves as leaders.
“They are one of the best Portuguese teams,” added Rocha. “The quality we have, the experienced players, players who are in the best years of their careers with Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.
“Then you have the young players; the new generation coming in. They are proving their quality, bringing a lot of good things to the national team.”
Excitement in Portugal was low ahead of the tournament, partly because people were preoccupied with the domestic season, but also because – despite winning Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League – critics called the lackluster Santos football.
“Before, it was the romantic thing – we played the good game but never won anything,” adds Ingles. “Santos changed that mindset to ‘just let’s do the work’.”
‘Ronaldo’s legacy will always be cherished’
However, the boss loosened the leash for the beating from Switzerland and should exploit that attacking talent again in Saturday’s quarter-final against Morocco (1500 GMT).
“He was my manager at Benfica and he’s a great person. He knows the game, he gave me freedom and confidence,” says Rocha. “But he is, as you say, a bit pragmatic and cautious in the way he approaches the game.
“He’s a good coach to work with. He demands a lot from the players, but he has a good relationship with the players.
“Something changed in the last game. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the moment he felt he had to change something – and he proved he was right.”
Fans set off fireworks in Lisbon after the game, and Expresso reporter Diogo Pombo said belief was growing across the country.
“Portugal played like Fernando Santos said he wanted them to play from the start – in a more attacking way, with all the talented and most creative players playing at the same time,” he said. “We saw a fluid team that really got people excited.”
But if Portugal are to become champions in Qatar, what about Ronaldo?
“If Ronaldo is on the bench for the next three games and Portugal wins the World Cup, even if he doesn’t play in the final, his legacy would still be intact,” adds Pombo, referring to Ronaldo’s contribution after his death. be injured in the final. Euro 2016 final.
“He would still be captain of the first Portuguese team to win a World Cup. He would still be the best and most influential player the country has ever had.
“If Ronaldo could manage to have a similar posture and attitude to help and support the players on the pitch, it would be a very good thing for a captain of a national team.
“He would always give his invaluable support and show all his leadership qualities. If he manages to focus on that and have that kind of attitude, his legacy would most certainly always be cherished.”
