PORTUGAL

Back home, they’re uttering the unthinkable. Cristiano Ronaldo may be on the verge of international immortality, but not everyone thinks the 36-year-old should be in Fernando Santos’ starting XI this summer. Here’s why…

Words Marcus Alves

... BUT ARE PORTUGAL BETTER OFF WITHOUT

RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo was enjoying the fresh air and chatting with his best friend and advisor, Ricardo Regufe, when out of nowhere he stopped the conversationWith a couple of whistles and a swirl of his right hand, CR7 called time and gave the gesture to his Portugal colleagues – turn around, lads, we’re going home. Without a word, they followed him back to the team hotel like a pack of faithful pets.

That scene took place on the Cascais coastline near Lisbon, amid a crowd of fans, photographers and cameramen in October 2019. It’s part of a ritual that the reigning European champions have on matchdays: before each game, players and staff go for a morning walk, mingling with locals, posing for pictures and signing autographs. It rarely lasts more than half an hour, and often ends when it feels right for Ronaldo.

 No player in international football – and, yes, that includes Lionel Messi – has influence quite like the Juventus forward, who became Portugal’s permanent captain 13 years ago at the age of just 22.

Not even when he threw his armband to the ground in disgust, after a late winner wasn’t deemed to have fully crossed the goal line in the Selecao’s 2-2 draw with Serbia in March, was CR7’s leadership called into question. Asked if Ronaldo would retain the captaincy following the incident, Portugal coach Fernando Santos actually burst out laughing. “Cristiano is a national example,” he guffawed. “Nobody will say his reaction was beautiful, but there’s no point discussing if he should keep the armband.”