Portugal need more than Cristiano Ronaldo in order to go far in the World Cup. The Seleccao sit at the bottom ofGroup G and face USA in a potential knock out match after losing 4-0 to Germany in the first game.
July 2004 remains the only time Portugal reached the final of any major international competition. The European Championship in 2004 was hosted in Portugal and the most important game of the competition took place at Estadio da Luz, in Lisbon. Guided by Luiz Felipe Scolari, they came close to winning their first ever international trophy at the senior level but were shockingly defeated by Greece before they could get their hands on the prestigious cup.
Two years later, the same eleven that started in that final would go on to reach the semi finals of the World Cup in Germany. Only a Zinedine Zidane penalty would prevent them reaching their first ever World Cup final. Portugal’s efforts to secure fourth place would not go unnoticed as they would be awarded the title of most entertaining team in the tournament. The golden generation of the Seleccao that had started the under 20 World Cup over a decade back was coming to an end as they would never replicate the same success.
Portugal entered Euro 2008 without the likes of Rui Costa, Luis Figo and Pauleta, who had retired in stages since the last European Championships. The Seleccao made seven changes in their starting line up with only four surviving from the gallant efforts in Germany. Portugal ultimately went out against the runners up of competition in the last eight with Scolari leaving for Chelsea while Ricardo did not participate for them again.
Ronaldo was then re-united with Carlos Queiroz as the former assistant manager of Manchester United became the head coach of the Portuguese national team. He entered the 2010 World Cup carrying the burden of the nation on his shoulders but scored only one goal as Portugal were eliminated by eventual winners Spain. With Deco retiring at the end of that World Cup and Ricardo Carvalho retiring in 2011, Ronaldo has been the lone survivor of the team that finished as runners to Greece in 2004.
Paulo Bento replaced Queiroz in 2010 and helped Portugal reach the semis of the most recent European Championship. Ronaldo was the joint leading goal scorer of that tournament and scored the same number of goals as the rest of the Portuguese team combined. Apart from Ronaldo in the Euro 2012, no Portuguese player has been able to score in more than one game in a major tournament since the 2006 World Cup.
Coincidentally, apart from the same European Championship, no Portuguese player has been able to provide an assist in more than one game since the World Cup in Germany and as a result it comes as no surprise that the Seleccao have been unable to score in only two of their last seven World Cup games. They have also had one of their players sent off in both their last two World Cup games.
It is a good strategy to build the team around Ronaldo but he alone cannot help the Seleccao go far in this World Cup. It is wrong to compare Ronaldo’s level of competency for his national team to that of his club. He receives a lot of support from his Real Madrid teammates and duly produces the goods. However, the 5-0 drubbing against Barcelona in the recent past has shown that even for the Los Blancos without assistance he cannot bring out his top game.
It is fair to say that when Ronaldo has got the assistance from his team mates, he has delivered. His ability to attack and score is very unique while compared to any other player. He is the all time top goal scorer for the Portuguese national team. Since football is a sport with eleven men on either side, Portugal will need their whole team to contribute in order to achieve phenomenal success in a major tournament.
Greece in 2004 showed the world that a team did not primarily need stars among them to win a major tournament while Costa Rica to a smaller extent in this World Cup have indicated that they are not pushovers. Spain have shown in this tournament that without proper co-ordination or chemistry, star studded players cannot make much of a difference. England have always never had a deficit in firepower but have never managed to win anything concrete since the 1966 World Cup.
In conclusion, Portugal need to see commitment and dedication from their whole team. While Ronaldo has been struggling with injuries recently, the Seleccao need more effort from the rest of the team if they are to win their next two group games and enter the knockout stages.
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