Ken Early: Cristiano Ronaldo’s decline leaves Portugal paying the price against Colombia
The article critiques the continued reliance of the Portuguese national football team on Cristiano Ronaldo despite his perceived decline in performance. It argues that coach Roberto Martinez's refusal to move past Ronaldo has hindered the team's success in recent tournaments.
Why it matters
It reflects the broader sports media debate regarding the legacy of aging superstars and the strategic management of national teams.
I t feels like I have been writing the same story about Cristiano Ronaldo forever. I was there in Qatar in 2022, when Ronaldo was dropped from the Portugal team for the second-round game against Switzerland. I remember how, during the pre-match rituals, all the photographers swarmed around the Portugal bench to record his pain.
The article presents a critical sports opinion, which is standard for sports journalism.
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