Cristiano Ronaldo has earned the unpleasant distinction of being one of the poorest players in this year’s World Cup group stage.
With the exception of a penalty against Ghana, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared anonymous in all three of Portugal’s Group H games.
While Portugal’s last five goals were scored by players other than Ronaldo, he was substituted in each of the three games.
The future of the national team is seen in Joao Felix and Rafel Leao, both of whom scored against Ghana.
Bruno Fernandes, who scored two goals against Uruguay to ensure Portugal’s qualification, is undoubtedly the team’s greatest player currently. In the shocking 2-1 loss to South Korea on Friday, Ricardo Horta scored the first goal.
Is Ronaldo being left behind by Fernando Santos’ team? As it stand, it seems the majority of football fans are already moving on from the iconic player.
Ronaldo received an average rating of 6.37 from data goliaths Sofascore for his appearances in this autumn’s competition thus far.
He and Australian Mathew Leckie are the only players on the team to have advanced to the round of 16.
Given their poor performance in Group A, it is not surprising that the hosts, Qatar, have four players there. They made history by being the first World Cup host nation to lose all three of their group games.
They only scored one goal during that time, losing to Senegal 3-1.
The entire team is listed below:
Goalkeeper: Meshaal Barsham (Qatar and Al Sadd)
Right-back: Alistair Johnston (Canada and CF Montreal)
Centre back: Oscar Duarte (Costa Rica and Al-Wehda)
Centre back: Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica and Konyaspor)
Left-back: Homam Ahmed (Qatar and Al-Gharafa)
Right midfield: Mathew Leckie (Australia and Melbourne City)
Central midfield: Karim Boudiaf (Qatar and Al-Duhail)
Central midfield: Abdulellah Al Malki (Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal)
Left midfield: Tajon Buchanan (Canada and Club Brugge)
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Unattached)
Striker: Almoez Ali (Qatar and Al-Duhail)
Ronaldo left Manchester United last month and is currently without a club. The 37-year-old launched into the club in a shocking TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan.
Portugal lost to South Korea, but still won Group H. They would be joined in the round of 16 by Paulo Bento’s team thanks to the exciting conclusion.
In order to advance to the quarterfinals, the A Selecao will play Switzerland on Tuesday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo in Qatar
Cristiano Ronaldo is doing every effort to bring the World Cup title to Portugal, where he will undoubtedly play in his final World Cup in 2022.
The best Portuguese player has already taken part in three World Cup games in Qatar.
Under Cristiano’s leadership, Portugal won both of their first two games, moving them into the round of 16.
Knowing that his children and partner Georgina Rodriguez have arrived in Qatar to support the Portuguese team, Cristiano Ronaldo can unwind.
