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Socceroos legend Robbie Slater believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s behavior on the bench could make or break Portugal’s World Cup chances ahead of the quarter-final against tournament surprise package Morocco.
Slater, who earned 44 caps for Australia, said the maligned Manchester United striker needed to come to terms with his role as a player for his national team in the later years of international competition.
The 37-year-old former Real Madrid star has come under widespread criticism for the way he handled being relegated to the Seleção das Quinas bench against Switzerland in the round of 16.
Ronaldo looks on from the bench during the round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland at the Lusail National Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.
Slater says Ronaldo’s behavior on the bench will have a big impact on the outcome between Portugal and Morocco
With the veteran superstar on the bench, Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 and coach Fernando Santos is likely to adopt the same strategy against Morocco.
Ronaldo applauded the Portuguese fans and shook hands with his rivals before running off the pitch and heading through the tunnel ahead of his teammates.
When he entered the game in the 73rd minute, the result was already beyond doubt.
Goncalo Ramos, 21, had scored his first international hat-trick while Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro were on the scoreboard in Portugal’s best World Cup performance so far.
Slater said that when Ronald was inevitably benched for the quarter-final against Morocco, his attitude would continue to play a key role in the final outcome.
“I think it’s obvious, after the way Goncalo Ramos hattricked Switzerland down, Portugal manager Fernando Santos is not going to start Ronaldo and is backing his team,” he wrote for the aussie.
“The fact that Ronaldo fell just shows that he is human. At 37, he’s not a spring chicken. I know that with Messi he has been one of the best footballers of his generation in the world, but nothing is forever. But he still has an important role to play for Portugal.
“Ronaldo’s behavior has the potential to upset the balance and harmony of the team, so his behavior will be as important as his performance when he gets the chance to play.”
‘He’s a great first XI. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Joao Félix, Raphael Guerreiro and Ramos, this team is full of quality and their performance and preparation look great.
Goncalo Ramos of Portugal celebrates his hattrick for Portugal in their demolition of Switzerland
Slater’s warning comes after Santos admitted he spoke to Ronaldo before the Switzerland match to tell him he would start on the bench, news the Manchester United star did not take well.
“I had a conversation with Cristiano and it would have been bad if I hadn’t had that conversation with him,” Santos said.
‘That conversation had to happen. I don’t do that with every player. But he is the captain.
“What he represents for Portuguese football, the people and his national team, naturally I needed to talk to him.” I spoke to him after lunch on game day, before the Switzerland game. I didn’t have any conversation before. I explained why he wasn’t going to play.
Ronaldo’s body language was poor at times and he left the field before his teammates after the round of 16 game.
“I invited him to my office and told him: ‘It’s better for our strategy if you don’t play’. I said I would save it for the second half. Cristiano wasn’t very happy with that. He has always been one of the starting players.
While Ronaldo’s body language and mood didn’t look great on the pitch, he took a team-first attitude on social media.
‘Spectacular day for Portugal, with a historic result in the biggest tournament in world football. Luxury exhibition of a team full of talent and youth. Congratulations to our national team. The dream is alive! Until the end! Come on Portugal! posted on Instagram.