Imagine the anti-climax in Cristiano country, a nation of 1.1 billion social media followers trying to reconcile the myth of CR7 with the 41-year-old dead weight dragging Portugal down.
After the iridescence of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland the night before, Ronaldo’s hard labour against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup was an achingly sad watch. An influencer in the digital space but no longer on the pitch.
Though Portugal led after five minutes, advantage did not lead to dominance, primarily because the whole of Portugal is in thrall to the hero Ronaldo was and blind to the speed limiter he has become.
“Sometimes the hardest thing for great players is accepting that time is undefeated,” observed former footballer turned philosopher, Wayne Rooney. Portugal, Rooney said, needed energy, movement and ruthlessness. Instead they got inertia, blunt edges and petulance.
Bruno Fernandes reacts after Ronaldo shoots instead of leaving it for him (Photo: Getty)
