Ronaldo to Ramos, Portugal rise as an icon fades
Cody Gakpo
QF
Lionel Messi
SF
Andrej Kramaric
QF
Richarlison
Kylian Mbappe
QF
Bukayo Saka
SF
QF
Goncalo Ramos
Hakim Ziyech
NEW DELHI: A star was born and all that could have gone right for Portugal at the World Cup on Tuesday night did. But try telling this to Cristiano Ronaldo. The global game is digesting the 6-1 romp and the benching of the world’s top goal-getter and Portugal talisman for a decade-andhalf, for the first time in 14 years.
His waning skills or prickly behaviour, coach Fernando Santos wasn’t letting on though he had separately been unimpressed with both. At 37, Ronaldo’s speed, trickery and fear factor with free kicks are all waning. His not having played competitive football landing at the World Cup and a team bursting with young talent straining to be unleashed meant benching him was easier.
Goncalo Ramos does a smoking gun imitation to celebrate goals. He announced himself to the world with a stunning hattrick—at 21 he is the second youngest to do it in a Cup knockout game. Only Pele, at 17, was younger. The twin-pistol routine came out thrice, but he had slayed all arguments before the first, with a sumptuous 17th minute strike.
The turn, switch to the acute angle on his left foot with the Swiss defender perhaps not expecting the rookie to “pull the trigger” or get his aim right, was followed by a shot that shook the football world. “What, no
Ronaldo?” until then went to “Who? Ramos”.
The youngster had already collected a “sorcerer” nickname at Benfica. His magical feet also reflected zero stage fright. A first World Cup start, only the fourth Portugal cap, stepping into the legend’s shoes, the Benfica youth academy product took it all in his stride.
Portugal played arguably the most free-flowing game across 90 minutes in this World Cup. Ronaldo was finally sent in after 73 minutes, one of three subs with Joao Felix—he had looked reluctant to feed Ronaldo earlier but was the livewire without him—and Ramos pulled out. And the quarterfinal was assured at 5-1.
It was more a snatching of the baton, but the cheers for Ronaldo rang from the stands. As one is sure in many parts of the world, taking a chapter can’t take away the entire book of achievements, maintaining Portugal football’s momentum, helping win the 2016 European Championship and reaching the final in 2004 as a teenager. The feeder line of talent coming out of Portugal is also inspired to some extent by CR7.
Ronaldo may yet get to play a decisive hand in this World Cup. But Santos won’t feel he has to deviate from a Plan B that has clicked beyond dreams.
A combative Ronaldo gives plenty of room for criticism. But his fans hail his skill, fitness, heroics, drama on the pitch, the entire package. After the end of the match, and when Portugal scored each time, the cameras panned to show how glum Ronaldo was. They weren’t disappointed. The commentator even pointed to the man who replaced him and one wearing his captain’s armband, Pepe, scoring in the first half.
Ronaldo may be fighting a losing battle. On Wednesday, Marca reported he was sulking and attended the recovery session with the starting eleven instead of being with the substitutes who trained under Santos on the pitch.
The seasoned coach though played it down.
“Cristiano is one of the best players in the world playing professionally and as a captain ... so we have to just think about this team collectively,” Santos said after the Swiss win.
“I have a very close relationship; I always have, known him since he was 19 at Sporting, and then for years here in the national squad. Ronaldo and I never confuse the human and personal aspect with the coach and player relationship. He is a very important player to have in the team.
Ramos too spoke of Ronaldo being one of his role models.
“Honestly, in our team, no one talked about it (starting in place of Ronaldo),” he said. “Cristiano as our captain, and as he always did, he helped us, he gave encouragement to us, not only to myself, but our team mates.”