Are Portugal better or worse with Ronaldo?

Ronaldo's Impact on Portugal's Mobility 00:05

"I think the Portuguese team will realize that if they can get Ronaldo into those sorts of goal-scoring situations, then there's no one better to have in those situations."

• Ronaldo remains a superb finisher, evident from his braces scored against weaker teams like Uzbekistan.

• However, concerns about his mobility are arising, especially as he approaches the end of his career. This affects his ability to get into scoring positions when the play becomes more expansive.

• When Portugal controls the game, they can limit the opposition's space, allowing Ronaldo to shine, but against stronger teams, the need for mobility becomes crucial.

Disconnect During Play 01:10

"What ends up happening is that Ronaldo gets a bit disconnected from the rest of the team."

• In a scenario against Colombia, while Ronaldo occupies a traditional forward role by blocking passing lanes, he becomes disconnected from the defensive actions needed when the opposition progresses the ball.

• This leads to a situation where Portugal ends up with one less effective player on the field as Ronaldo's positioning doesn’t aid in stopping the opposing team's build-up.

Examples of Missed Opportunities 04:00

"The problem here is that usually you would expect him to make that run, drag the defense out of the way and open up space for his teammate."

• Analyzing specific sequences reveals that Ronaldo often fails to capitalize on transitional play opportunities.

• When given chances to make runs behind defenders, he tends to lag, allowing the opposing defense to regroup without pressure.

• This is crucial as these missed runs mean he is not involved when creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, demonstrating a significant drop in his effectiveness during fast transitions.

• His lack of mobility not only hampers his own scoring ability but also limits the attacking options for Portugal.

Ronaldo's Role in Portugal's System 07:21

"Looking at it this way also makes it feel like it is a system problem rather than an individual problem."

• The analysis reveals that Ronaldo's positioning often disrupts the team's passing dynamics, suggesting that his presence is affecting the overall effectiveness of the system rather than simply his individual performance.

• It is noted that an advanced midfielder ends up compensating for Ronaldo's lack of mobility, showcasing a systemic issue where Ronaldo's ability to adapt has diminished with age.

• The commentary highlights that when Portugal wins the ball back, Ronaldo should ideally be in scoring positions, but his current plays do not align with the team's dynamic, indicating a mismatch between his style and the team's strategy.

Transitional Play and Physical Limitations 08:40

"The issue, I think, with Ronaldo is that they're trying to play him in a system where he's expected to be an incredibly mobile striker."

• The conversation shifts to how Ronaldo is utilized in transition, illustrating that his age has led to a decline in speed and mobility which is critical for a striker in a fast-paced game.

• An example demonstrates Ronaldo's struggle to effectively exploit the space behind defenses, where even minor distances become challenging due to his reduced pace, limiting his ability to create scoring opportunities.

• The commentary emphasizes that as the game progresses, his physical limitations lead to situations where defenders, aware of his speed, can anticipate his movements and effectively nullify potential threats.

The Impact of Age on Performance 11:18

"Yes, Portugal are worse with Ronaldo."

• The discussion concludes that Portugal's overall performance may be compromised by playing Ronaldo, as younger, more mobile strikers could potentially address the team's tactical shortcomings more effectively.

• As Ronaldo's physical capabilities have declined, the strategic advantage of having a player who can keep up with the pace of the game is lost, suggesting that Portugal might benefit from integrating a younger player into the lineup.