Ronaldo Is STILL the Target of Half of Portugal's Crosses and Nobody in the World Cup Has a Clue Why

Alright, Seattle, let's talk about something that's got me absolutely fired up from the World Cup, even if it's not our boys in Sounders blue. We gotta discuss Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. Seriously, it's getting wild out there! The superstar is, somehow, still commanding the spotlight for his national team, but the cold, hard truth is his presence on the pitch is holding back a seriously talented Portuguese squad. It's not just a whisper anymore, it's a roar: Ronaldo is an anchor on Portugal's World Cup hopes, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why manager Roberto Martinez hasn't made the change that feels so necessary.

The Elephant in the Stadium: Ronaldo's Drag

This isn't new news, right? Folks outside of Portugal have been saying for years that a change is needed. And yet, here we are. Even ahead of their game against Uzbekistan, team captain Ruben Dias came out swinging to defend his main man, saying, "The criticism isn't directed at just one player. Cris is a major focus, but everyone is under scrutiny at a moment like this. I don't think anything out of the ordinary is happening, it has been this way ever since I've been here, it will continue to be, so it's nothing new." Yeah, maybe. But sometimes, a star's light can be so bright it blinds you to the actual problems. Fleeting glimpses of a Ronaldo-less Portugal in past tournaments hinted at a team that, while imperfect, had a seriously high ceiling. With him on the field, though? Not so much.

The Numbers Are Screaming For a Change

Let's look at the facts. The 41-year-old Ronaldo, the second-oldest ou

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tfield player in World Cup history behind Roger Milla, has one lone goal in his last three major tournaments, and that was a penalty in his country's 2022 World Cup opener against Ghana. Sure, he can still boss "weaker opposition" in qualifiers and friendlies, and his online army will tell you he scored in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final of last season's Nations League. But come on, who remembers who he scored those against? In the games that truly matter, against real competition, Ronaldo is a drag on Portugal. The opener against DR Congo, a 1-1 draw, showed us everything we need to know. Ronaldo was simultaneously a passenger and yet, somehow, the most important player for his side. Portugal took seven shots total, and Ronaldo accounted for three of them. That's nearly half! Those three shots contributed 0.46 of a measly 0.65 expected goals for the entire team. And here's the kicker, according to Gradient Sports: Martinez's side attempted 26 crosses in that game, and exactly half of them, THIRTEEN crosses, were aimed at Ronaldo. Thierry Henry even pointed out a particularly telling opening for Portugal on the Fox broadcast that day. It's clear: too much of Portugal's attacking structure is still designed to get the ball to Ronaldo, even when the payoff just isn't there anymore. It's time for Portugal to look forward, not back. So, what are we going to see in their next match? Will Roberto Martinez finally make the tough call, or will Portugal keep hoping for a miracle from their aging star? The World Cup clock is ticking fast, and every single decision from here on out could make or break their entire tournament run. This team has too much talent to let an old habit cost them everything.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.