In brief
Ronaldo’s international career is deteriorating, and some are demanding that the team be reorganised.
He had no goals, dribbles, or crucial passes in his most recent performance, which was below average.
Ronaldo is no longer suitable to be Portugal’s main forward, according to the general view on social media.
The absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the Ballon d’Or discussion is, for many generations, the most obvious indication that time has accelerated. It’s a melancholy awareness that football has officially entered a new age, one that once seemed nearly unthinkable, as the latter now weaves the last traces of his magic in the far-off kingdoms of Saudi Arabia.
Given that Ronaldo has scored 19 goals in 24 Saudi Pro League games this season, it would appear that the 40-year-old is still creating waves in the Middle East, drawing in fans from all over the world to watch him play. His worldwide career, on the other hand, has recently taken a plunge. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United great was a ghost of his former self during Euro 2024.
It’s unknown if he can get back to his goal-scoring ways before the 2026 World Cup. However, it’s beginning to seem like a hard assignment after Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Denmark in their Nations League quarterfinal on Thursday night, as the four-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared all but defeated.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Performance During Denmark’s 1-0 Loss
In his 90-minute appearance, he was only able to make two shots.
Ronaldo is increasingly being targeted because enormous success breeds even more scrutiny, and he has yet to show any signs of improving his performance for his country. However, he only has himself to blame for his lacklustre performance in the middle of the week.
He only managed two shots during his ninety minutes on the pitch, both of which went wide. Despite being trusted to lead the line, he ended the night without creating any meaningful opportunities for his teammates since he failed to execute a single successful dribble, won only one battle, completed only one defensive action, and failed to register a vital pass. Below are his Sofascore match stats:
In Sofascore’s scoring system, he made a ghostly appearance and no player on either team was scored lower than him. Furthermore, GOAL’s player ratings article only gave him a 4 out of 10. They wrote in that:
“Remains a passenger when Portugal encounters reasonable resistance.” An otherwise routine outing for the experienced captain was marred by one poor header.
Rasmus Hojlund, the match winner, added insult to injury by pulling out Ronaldo’s famous celebration in the corner to celebrate. Even though the Manchester United forward said after the match that no offence was meant, Ronaldo’s helpless, expressionless observation of the game spoke more than words could. View below:
📸 Cristiano Ronaldo watching Rasmus Hojlund doing his 'SIIU' celebration. pic.twitter.com/cDPs1LnW6G
— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) March 20, 2025
Ronaldo’s International Career Is Coming To A Nondescript End
Onlookers have urged Roberto Martinez to show some cojones and drop him
Everyone on social media seems to agree that Ronaldo isn’t good enough to be Portugal’s main forward anymore, regardless of whether they are Ronaldo’s detractors or just want the legend to preserve his international legacy—which includes the Euro 2016 victory—as much as possible.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is the worst international player ever,” an X user boldly asserted. “He was raised in Portugal’s golden age and spent twenty years surrounded by several top teams; the only time they won, he was on the sidelines.” If I were to represent him, I would detest him to my core.” Meanwhile, another disparaged Roberto Martinez (see the post below):
“Portugal has turned into a political squad where meritocracy is subordinated to appease the Ronaldo dictatorship. By 2026, it must alter its selection methodology or else it would fail miserably once more. Roberto Martinez needs to establish his power because he is a puppet.
Portugal has become a team run by politics, where appeasing the Ronaldo dictatorship is more important than meritocracy.
It needs to change its selection model by 2026 or its going to end in tears again.
Roberto Martinez is a puppet, he needs to assert authority. pic.twitter.com/qr6SdRcnB7
— Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️ (@pythaginboots) March 20, 2025
A third critic went on: “Portugal will never advance as a football team unless they fire Ronaldo. As a fourth person put it, “Ronaldo should retire from the National team and stop disgracing himself.” He is the team’s weakest link.
Ronaldo FC love to blame my Al Nassr for CR7’s dreadful performances but today is proof that it’s him.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the worst rated player on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/dVRTfBD189
— Al Nassr FC (@Al_Nassrt) March 20, 2025
“This Ronaldo performance has been too sad to see, man,” read the last line of another comment. He needs to be told that he is done at this level, I can’t lie.” He will undoubtedly want to disprove his detractors, as he has demonstrated in the past, and he will have the opportunity to do so on Sunday night when Portugal hosts Denmark at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for the second leg.
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