18 Jun 2026 13:36:40
Not directly United related, but just how much did CR hold back Portugal yesterday? I saw about 20 minutes in the first half and Portugal were playing with less than 10 men imo. No movement to stretch the defence, no pressing, came deep a few times to just touch the ball and play a safe 5 yard pass. Pretty sad tbh.
18 Jun 2026 14:31:51
It was a tough watch. For sure, playing with 10 men most of the match. Not sure they were playing with less than 10. ?
He is a box player only now in the main, and Umo should not be starting games on that basis alone.
18 Jun 2026 14:52:12
Thierry Henry was highly critical of CR7, whom he said should, on one occasion, have made his move and then let the ball run on to Bruno, who would have had a great scoring opportunity...
but no, Ronaldo isn't a team player. He just wants to score himself, so he took the low % shot and missed. Will Martinez have the balls to drop him? He's quitting Portugal. Does he go to Al-Nassr?
18 Jun 2026 17:09:44
TW
The words you are looking for are Goal Hanger!
18 Jun 2026 17:29:47
It seems to me that Ronaldo is constantly trying to show everyone that he is the best. When Messi scored the hat-trick, my initial thought before the Portugal game was Ronaldo will be shooting every chance he has. I think a lot of people would have thought this too, which says a lot about how he is viewed.
I seem to remember the last tournament, Portugal seemed to be playing for Ronaldo rather than the other way round and it does feel like it is just preventing Portugal from getting wins when they need them.
That said, it does feel mad criticising Ronaldo.
18 Jun 2026 18:44:57
There was a TV programme recently in which Ronaldo and Messi were featured and compared against each other. What came out clearly from those who spoke about Ronaldo is that he is a team player. Yes, he can, and often is a bit greedy, but overall he wants his team to win.
He was shown being interviewed after Portugal won a tournament, and he said he considered it the biggest thing in his career.
He was also shown on the touchline not playing but urging his teammates on, kicking every ball with them like a manager does.
18 Jun 2026 21:43:07
I go along with that, Salford. All his career, he has been a great team player.
Selfish and greedy at times, but all forwards are, should be, and need to be.
At this point in his career, he is chasing numbers and individual targets.
I think his coach and teammates need to help him understand where and when he can make the best impact nowadays at this level. I think that's off the bench, but I'm not picking the team. ?