Portugal’s Throne Usurped! Ronaldo Dethroned as New Golden Boy Emerges
Cristiano Ronaldo remains a force for Portugal, holding the record for both appearances (206) and goals scored (128). However, a shift in the team’s spotlight is underway. Bernardo Silva’s consistent performances and creative spark are turning heads, with some arguing he’s currently Portugal’s most impactful player.
This doesn’t diminish Ronaldo’s ongoing contributions. After a quiet World Cup, he’s found his scoring touch again for the national team. Nevertheless, Silva’s influence on Portugal’s overall play is sparking discussions about a changing of the guard. The emergence of Silva suggests Portugal might be entering a new era, with him potentially taking on a more prominent role.
What was said?
Though a legendary figure with five Ballon d’Or awards and still Portugal’s most capped and highest-scoring player (at 39!), some believe his on-field dominance might be waning. European football expert Andy Brassell, commenting on Portugal’s wealth of talent on Kick Off, suggests Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva might be their current best player according to TalkSport.
European football expert Andy Brassell, commenting on Portugal’s wealth of talent, highlighted the team’s depth: “Roberto Martinez has options aplenty. That quality allows him to be flexible.”
Brassell went on to suggest a changing role for Cristiano Ronaldo: “I think even Ronaldo realizes things might be different now. He’s a legend, of course, but with such a strong squad, he might need to adapt. Starting alongside some of these young talents, or even coming off the bench to make an impact – that could be his new role.”
Portugal’s New Talisman: Silva Shines as Ronaldo’s Era Shifts
Bernardo Silva, a cornerstone for both Manchester City and the national team, has cemented his place as a vital cog in the national team’s machinery. The 29-year-old boasts a treble with City and impressive international experience, having participated in three major tournaments for Portugal.
His 88 caps include 11 goals, and he solidified his starting role by featuring in all but one match at the 2022 World Cup.
In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo’s role seems to be evolving. While still a force (he recently added a limited-edition Ferrari to his extravagant car collection!), his starting appearances have dwindled. At the World Cup under former manager Fernando Santos, he was benched for the win over Switzerland.
However, since the appointment of Roberto Martinez, Ronaldo, now playing for Al Nassr, has found his scoring touch again, netting 10 goals and featuring in almost every match.
This shift is echoed by Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo (currently on loan at Barcelona). In a recent interview as reported by Sports Buddy Cancelo acknowledged Ronaldo’s legendary status but suggested Portugal’s reliance has waned: “He’s a Ballon d’Or contender, but a player’s peak is typically between 25 and 32. He remains crucial, but the team doesn’t solely depend on him anymore.”
The Portuguese team is loaded with wealth of attacking talent – Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, and Goncalo Ramos complement Silva’s brilliance.
Despite Silva’s emergence as arguably Portugal’s best player, manager Martinez is likely to start Ronaldo at Euro 2024, potentially the icon’s final major tournament. This summer, Ronaldo will aim for a sixth Euros appearance, leading Portugal in Group F against Turkey, Georgia, and the Czech Republic as they chase a repeat of their 2016 triumph.
