Analysis: Cristiano Ronaldo is not indisputable, but Portugal lacks a plan B

When Fernando Santos left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the first step towards the captain's succession in the Portuguese national team seemed to have been taken. Gonçalo Ramos responded with a hat-trick and many saw that game as the beginning of a new era.

Four years later, the doubt continues to haunt Portugal: should Cristiano Ronaldo be a starter? The question divides opinions and even those who argue that the captain is no longer the best solution for the starting eleven admit that the Seleção may not be prepared to live without him.

Sofia Oliveira is one of these voices. The CNN Portugal commentator believes that Cristiano Ronaldo should no longer be an undisputed starter, but understands that Portugal never truly prepared for this scenario.

"I've been of the opinion for some time now that Ronaldo shouldn't be the Seleção's undisputed starter - not even the main starter in that position -, but I'm also of the opinion that the Seleção wasn't prepared to play without him", he says.

"Removing a piece that is fundamental to the dynamics already worked on... I don't know if that would automatically improve the Selection, because I think that there has to be a method for everything", he argues.

That's why she admits that, at this point, the alternative may be more difficult than it seems. "Between playing Ronaldo as a starter, or playing someone whose dynamics and tactics are not properly trained, I honestly don't know what would be better."

Diogo Luís believes that Ronaldo should be a starter in the World Cup, at least at the beginning. Not so much because of the moment, as he thinks the captain is "not in great shape", but because the national coach built the team with the captain on the field and, therefore, it makes sense to maintain the formula at the start of the competition.

"Roberto Martínez always worked with him. He always played every game. So, I believe he will play with the same team", he explains.

Still, he considers that star status cannot protect anyone. "If he's not performing, he should be replaced like everyone else. If he performs as well as he did in the last two games, he should leave as soon as possible and give someone else the opportunity", he argues. "Ronaldo has to understand who he is right now. And the people who command him also have to understand that."

If it is necessary to look for alternatives, João Félix is the solution that Sofia likes most. First of all, for being "a player with very interesting features in terms of finishing".

"Of all the players from midfield to the front of the team, he is the player who has the most refined relationship with the goal, not only because of the ease he has in shooting, but also because of the technical quality he uses to dribble past opponents and attempt a shot from outside the area", he argues.

Another hypothesis is Gonçalo Ramos, a player who, she considers, "when he is called up, always leaves a good impression". The Champions League champion would add, in his point of view, intensity in pressing, as well as "greater defensive dedication".

"He doesn't spare himself as much from recovering advanced balls as Cristiano does and this could lead the Seleção to create goal-scoring situations", he explains.

However, Gonçalo Ramos also arrives, in her opinion, far from an ideal scenario. Between PSG and the national team, "he is not very encouraged to be a starter", she considers, which underlines the importance of confidence in any player's performance.

Since "Paulinho was unfortunately not called up", Diogo Luís points to Gonçalo Guedes as a "more mobile" solution, due to his "infiltration capacity". "I think he would be much more important and useful coming in during the game to light up the match, catching already tired opponents. But I accept that he starts playing on his debut. Let's see what happens."

Next games
After the frustrating and lackluster 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Portugal is preparing to face Uzbekistan on Tuesday (23), at 2pm, at the NRG Stadium, in Houston, Texas. See the leaderboard here.

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Source: CNN