Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s national team continues to spark debate, even after a standout performance against Poland in the UEFA Nations League.
The 39-year-old forward delivered a vintage display, scoring twice and providing an assist in a dominant 5-1 victory. However, questions about his ongoing inclusion in the squad remain.
After a quiet first half, Ronaldo’s influence grew as he showcased his clinical finishing, contributing significantly to Portugal’s triumph. His performance earned him an impressive 8.6 Sofascore rating, the highest of the match.
Despite his contributions, ESPN analyst Shaka Hislop expressed scepticism about Ronaldo’s continued starting role under manager Roberto Martinez. Hislop has long questioned Ronaldo’s place in the starting XI, particularly with younger alternatives available. “I don’t think Ronaldo should start for Portugal. I didn’t think so since 2022,” Hislop said, referring to the 2022 World Cup, where Ronaldo’s role was scaled back. “Does Roberto Martinez have that presence to say, ‘Cristiano, I’m going with somebody else today?’ I don’t think so,” he added, as reported by Sportskeeda....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
Hislop also criticized Ronaldo’s involvement in set pieces, suggesting the forward should step aside for other options. “Nobody has the presence to tell Ronaldo, ‘step away from free kicks,’ never mind the pitch. We all see the numbers from set pieces—they aren’t great. But for some reason, Portugal continues to defer to him, even with better, statistically superior takers on the field,” Hislop argued.
Despite acknowledging Ronaldo’s impressive performance against Poland, Hislop raised concerns about his effectiveness against stronger opposition. “It’s difficult to say this after a match where he scored twice and added an assist, but against tougher teams, I’d prefer another option.”
Nonetheless, Ronaldo’s legacy remains undeniable. He is the highest-scoring player in men’s international football history, with 135 goals and 45 assists across 215 appearances, a testament to his lasting impact on the global stage.
