Portugal needs a new figurehead, a new leader, sooner rather than later because, contrary to his belief, Ronaldo won’t play forever. But he is the glass ceiling for any potential successor in the Portuguese national team. They could be called Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão. The two offensive players are 24 and 26 years old. They have been waiting for years to have at least one chance to follow in his giant footsteps. And for years, the omnipresent top dog Ronaldo has denied them this opportunity, simply by his existence in the middle of the attack in Portugal.
Midfield ace Vitinha also has all the potential to become the next big star in the wine-red jersey. The pacesetter from Paris St. Germain embodies absolute world class in the midfield – but only plays second fiddle in the national team. Why? Because in Portugal no one can be taller than Cristiano Ronaldo. He doesn’t let anyone get past his monument, and no one is allowed to get past his monument. That’s how Cristiano Ronaldo himself sees it, and Portugal – meaning the entire country – doesn’t dare contradict him. Everyone agrees with him: That would be nothing less than blasphemy.
Lastly: Wherever you speak Portuguese, there is a word for what football is supposed to be. “Jogo bonito”. The “beautiful game”. It is in the DNA of this culture, especially in Brazil, but also in Portugal. But there’s nothing “nice” about Cristiano Ronaldo’s game anymore. His game is merciless. Mercilessly effective, merciless against yourself and every opponent. He is also merciless towards his teammates, who seem to be primarily a means to an end for him to cement his own legendary status.
It now feels “unpleasant” to see Ronaldo on the football field, so angry, so bitterly he refuses to accept the inevitable. He is robbing Portugal of its future and probably doesn’t realize what he’s doing: he really wants to support this country – and has long since become a burden. In doing so, Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately damages what is actually most important to him: Cristiano Ronaldo.