With Portugal’s 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Fernando Santos’ decision to omit Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting XI generated headlines.
Ronaldo’s transfer to the bench initially appeared to be for disciplinary reasons, but Santos later made it clear that wasn’t the case. If so, Portugal may have finally escaped the Ronaldo cage as it prepares to face Morocco in the quarterfinals.
Ronaldo has been the center of Portugal’s offense for the better part of the previous ten years, and his football has been designed to maximize his potential. And when Ronaldo plays as the central striker, he frequently drops deep from his position in an effort to find the ball, breaking up the flow of possession.
The most well-known player to emerge from Portuguese football is Ronaldo. He currently holds the record for both the most caps (195) and goals (118) in men’s international football.
But without Ronaldo, is the A Selecao a superior squad? Recent stats and performances strongly argue against including the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
In the three games he started during the group stage, Ronaldo only managed one goal, a penalty kick. In seven World Cup knockout games, he has also failed to score.
Goncalo Ramos, a 21-year-old striker who made his first senior start in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, scored a hat-trick and assisted another against Switzerland in a performance of traditional center-forward play characterized by pace, power, and precision. Ramos’ addition also gave the Portuguese attack a new dimension, with Bruno Fernandes playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
Giroud, at 36, remains the starting No. 9 in Deschamps’ plans in Qatar in the absence of Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has played 27 fewer minutes than Ronaldo but has made 123 sprints to Ronaldo’s 126 as he tends to conserve his energy for runs in behind the defence. Ronaldo still retains the desire to score goals, and coach Santos expects to keep him fresh for the second halves as Portugal remains in the hunt for a first World Cup title. Before his exit from Manchester United, Ronaldo provided glimpses of what life off the bench would be like. Against Arsenal in the Premier League in September, a fresh Ronaldo came in as a substitute and had an impact with his work-rate in front, which played a part in the team’s two goals to secure a 3-1 win. After a glittering career spanning nearly two decades, a second act may not be what he envisaged coming into this World Cup. But for a squad packed with several match-winners, in their prime, stepping out of the spotlight might serve his interests of getting his hands on an elusive World Cup crown.
His predicted non-penalty goals (xG) per 90 minutes over the previous year were 0.52; Robert Lewandowski, a 34-year-old Pole, had the best value at 0.84. Ronaldo has a dribbling rate of 0.62 per 90, while Lionel Messi, 35, leads with 3.23.
Even before the World Cup, Ronaldo has only scored twice in Portugal’s nine games since October 2021.
His performance in club football has also declined. He has scored just once for Manchester United this season in 520 league minutes as he struggles to earn his spot under new manager Erik Ten Hag. Ten Hag and the public fell out, and last week, he gave an inflammatory interview in which he criticized the team, which resulted in United terminating his contract.
There is a case to be made that France won the World Cup four years ago when Olivier Giroud started up front in every game and made just 13 shots on goal. However, Giroud was regarded as essential to the team’s approach by Didier Deschamps because of his altruism in making room for the attackers behind him and his relentless work ethic.
In the absence of Karim Benzema in Qatar, Deschamps will continue to play Giroud as No. 9 despite his age of 36. Despite playing 27 fewer minutes than Ronaldo, the Frenchman has made 123 sprints as opposed to Ronaldo’s 126 because he prefers to save his energy for dashes in front of the defense.
Coach Santos anticipates keeping Ronaldo fresh for the second half as Portugal continues to pursue a first World Cup victory. Ronaldo still has the hunger to score goals.
Ronaldo gave hints of what life will be like on the bench before leaving Manchester United. When Ronaldo was a substitute against Arsenal in the Premier League in September, he made an impact with his work ethic up front and contributed to the team’s two goals to secure a 3-1 victory.
A second act after a successful career spanning almost two decades might not have been what he had in mind going into this World Cup. But for a team with several match-winners in their prime, moving away from the spotlight might be in his best advantage to win the elusive World Cup.
