Portugal offered a vision of what the future might hold without Cristiano Ronaldo as they secured a 4-2 victory over Denmark in the Nations League in Copenhagen. This match was the first since the 41-year-old departed from the national squad after being benched against Norway.
Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos each gave Portugal the lead on two occasions, but Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund responded to bring the score level. Vitinha headed in from a Bruno Fernandes cross to put the visitors back in front, and Joao Felix wrapped up the win in the closing stages.
Hojlund marked his goal with Ronaldo’s signature ‘Siuuu’ celebration, a gesture the former Manchester United forward has used against Portugal in the past. The outcome naturally sparked renewed discussion about what the national side might look like without its long-standing captain.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal enter a new phase
Ronaldo’s exit from the camp came after he was left out of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, remaining an unused substitute for the first time since 2008. This followed his start in the 1-0 Nations League win over Wales after Jorge Jesus was appointed as head coach.
After the Denmark win, Jesus maintained that his stance had not altered, stating that some players carry status but that the same regulations apply to all. The 72-year-old emphasised that this had been his method throughout his managerial career.
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, had previously shared on social media: “Betrayal is a dish best served cold.” Ronaldo himself left the camp and stated he would clarify his reasons “in time”.
The forward has been virtually undroppable for years, having netted 146 goals in 234 outings for Portugal. With 979 career goals, his standing in the national team remains immense, but doubts about his role have grown more frequent in his later years.
Portugal and Denmark bring the post-Ronaldo debate into focus
Ronaldo was reunited with Jesus at Al-Nassr this summer after Roberto Martinez stepped down as Portugal manager. According to Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague, the choice to leave Ronaldo warming up for most of the second half against Norway was telling because of the status typically afforded to figures like Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Ronaldo.
Balague also hinted that something might have been communicated or pledged to Ronaldo that was ultimately not honoured. He feels the forward will not want his Portugal career to conclude in this fashion, though he wondered whether a smooth reconciliation is achievable.
James Horncastle, in the meantime, questioned Ronaldo’s choice to leave the squad. He contended that, as captain and leader, Ronaldo ought to have stayed with the team and prioritised the national side over himself.
The scenario has also reignited a longstanding argument among Portugal fans about how much Ronaldo’s presence aids or obstructs the team. His dealings with four of Portugal’s last five coaches – Carlos Queiroz, Paulo Bento, Fernando Santos, and now Jesus – have featured complications.
Jorge Jesus adopts a distinct method with Ronaldo
The clash between Ronaldo and Jesus has drawn specific interest in Portugal since both individuals possess strong characters and reputations. Jesus is recognised for his straightforward manner and has previously taken on prominent players, such as Neymar during his spell at Al-Hilal.
His method marks a considerable shift from the more tactful approach linked with Martinez. For Portugal supporters, the present scenario consequently prompts a wider question about how much influence Ronaldo still wields within the national team.
Portugal’s recent generation has also intensified the debate. The squad features four players from Paris St-Germain’s consecutive Champions League-winning side, while Bruno Fernandes was voted Premier League player of the year.
The matter is not merely Ronaldo’s outstanding record. The conversation has increasingly centred on whether his contribution beyond goals remains adequate in a contemporary team where forwards are anticipated to deliver more than just finishing.
Portugal without Ronaldo: what do the figures indicate?
There is no argument about Ronaldo’s accomplishments with Portugal. He assisted the nation in winning Euro 2016, became the record goalscorer in men’s international football, and is the top scorer in European Championship history. He is also the sole player to have scored at six separate World Cups.
Nevertheless, the statistical contrast without him has bolstered the case that Portugal can function well in his absence. Over the past five years, Ronaldo has missed only two World Cup or European Championship qualifiers due to suspension, and Portugal triumphed in both matches by large margins: 9-0 versus Luxembourg and 9-1 versus Armenia.
Since 2017, Portugal’s win percentage without Ronaldo has been marginally greater than with him, at 64% versus 63%. The gap is also evident in goals scored, with Portugal averaging 2.7 goals per game without him and 2.1 with him.
Ronaldo was also benched for Portugal’s knockout fixtures at the 2022 World Cup under Fernando Santos. However, he played all but nine minutes under Martinez this summer, perpetuating a debate that has surrounded the national team for several years.
What lies ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal?
Portugal’s triumph in Denmark does not resolve the matter of Ronaldo’s future with the national team, but it has offered another instance of how the side can react without its long-time captain.
The Denmark match demonstrated Portugal overcoming two equalisers before pulling away late in Copenhagen. Cancelo, Ramos, Vitinha, and Felix provided the goals, while the outcome gave the team another display to reflect on as questions over Ronaldo’s role persist.
Balague thinks Ronaldo will not want Denmark to be recalled as part of his Portugal farewell. Jesus, meanwhile, has made it clear that status will not excuse players from the rules he applies to the rest of his squad.
For the time being, the debate surrounding Ronaldo remains unsettled. His international record is remarkable, while Portugal’s results without him supply statistics that will continue to feature in the discussion over the next phase of the national team’s evolution.