₦airaland Forum

brain54:
Ronaldo himself understands that he is not the same Ronaldo of yesterday...


You asked about Messi. Messi also isn't the prime Messi we know years ago. But he is still playing well... even above some average players. He came back from injury and scored a goal in his last match.


Messi still has a thing or two to offer the Argentine team. He is also a leader and would be motivating the team on and off the pitch.


Messi is still a good addition to any team!

Fair point. The difference for me is not just age, it is role acceptance.

Messi has also declined physically, but Argentina seem to have adjusted the team around what he can still give: control, final pass, leadership, moments.

With Ronaldo, Portugal still look emotionally trapped between respecting the legend and building the most functional team.

So the question is which team has adjusted better to their ageing star. Argentina with Messi or Portugal with Ronaldo?

brain54:
I saw the highlights of the match and his misses...


Age has finally caught up with the dude. Everyone knows his best years of football are behind him which at 41 is understandable.


I don't expect the coach to build his team around Ronaldo at his age. Ronaldo's role at the world cup should be more of inspiration and motivation for the team plus one or two second half appearances.

This is probably the most balanced position. Use him as a weapon, not as the entire system, but shey e go gree?

The problem is: can Portugal actually do that emotionally? Can the coach bench Ronaldo in a big World Cup match without the whole tournament becoming about that decision?

Football-wise, second-half Ronaldo makes sense. Politically or emotionally, I’m not sure Portugal can handle it.

HenryStarlife:
OP You’re not wrong, Benzema was a Victim moreover he’s no longer in is prime. Ofc I can’t ignore the fact he has an egomaniac, but unfortunately Argentina is still going to win this cup. Lmao football is gone.

You see that Benzema angle ehn, it's he uncomfortable part. At some point, a big-name legend can become bigger than the tactical plan.

My issue is not Ronaldo’s legacy, whether you like him or not, that one is settled. My issue is whether Portugal can make ruthless tournament decisions around him.

But since you’ve brought Argentina into it, do you think Argentina are stronger because Messi now fits the team better than Ronaldo fits Portugal?

Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 yesterday. Yes, it was a friendly. Yes, Portugal still won.

But Ronaldo was on the pitch, missed chances he would have buried a few years ago, and did not score. The winning goal came from a defender.

Portugal have serious quality — Bruno, Leao, Felix, Vitinha, Neves, Bernardo, Dias. That squad can go deep in this tournament.

But can they really win it while they are still emotionally and tactically organised around a 41-year-old Ronaldo?

The entire story follows him.
The pressure follows him.
The set pieces follow him.
The cameras follow him.

And when he misses, the whole conversation becomes Ronaldo again.

For me, Portugal are not winning this World Cup if Ronaldo remains the centre of gravity. At best, I see quarter-final level.

Maybe I am wrong.

Ronaldo fans, defend him with football points, not nostalgia.

Is Ronaldo still Portugal’s biggest weapon, or is he now the baggage holding this team back?

Don't fight me. Fight the facts