Didi Hamann thinks ‘pedestrian’ Portugal would be better off WITHOUT 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo came under fire from Didi Hamann on Thursday night after his performance in Portugal’s victory over Ghana.

The 37-year-old striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot to become the first man to score in five different World Cups.

However, it was a less comfortable result than the Portuguese fans had hoped for, as Ghana pulled back two goals to make the score 3–2.

Didi Hamann has argued that Cristiano Ronaldo is not improving Portugal’s team

The 37-year-old became the first man to score in five World Cups on Thursday

Despite being on the scoresheet, Hamann felt Ronaldo was holding his side back. He told RTE: “I don’t think he’s the same player – I don’t know if it’s match fitness or because he hasn’t played. If you look at him today, the balls he’s given away, he’s never given away in his career.

“I think he’s lost at least a meter, but what he’s still doing, he’s probably still the best in the air, because the bounce he has is incredible.

Asked if Ronaldo can still help Portugal, Hamann said: “I’m not so sure. They look pedestrian.

“Obviously he can always score outside set pieces because he’s good with his head, but whether he gets another club or where he gets another club, I’m not so sure.”

Going forward, Hamann thought Rafael Leao would be the key to Portugal’s hopes.

Hamann believed Rafael Leao’s pace would be key to Portugal’s hopes for the tournament

He said: I think Leao should come into the team because they just don’t have speed all over the pitch, and in modern football if you don’t have speed it’s very difficult to create chances from open play.

“Once you’re out of the group, what they’re supposed to be doing, knockout stages, it’s a different story. I don’t think it’s a team that’s easy to break apart, but a lot of similar players and I wouldn’t want them down as one of three or four teams that can actually win it.