Why Didn’t Portugal Start Ronaldo? (The Reason Might Surprise You)

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, but he was surprisingly benched for Portugal’s recent match against Serbia. This decision has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, with some arguing that it was a tactical mistake and others defending the manager’s decision. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Ronaldo didn’t start the match, and we will assess whether or not it was the right call.

We will begin by providing a brief overview of the match itself. Portugal traveled to Serbia for a crucial World Cup qualifying match. The two teams were tied at the top of the group, and a win would have put Portugal in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup. However, Portugal struggled in the match and were held to a 2-2 draw.

Ronaldo was one of the players who struggled in the match. He was often isolated and out of position, and he failed to create any real chances for his teammates. This led to some speculation that the manager, Fernando Santos, had made a mistake by benching Ronaldo.

However, Santos defended his decision, saying that he felt Ronaldo was not fit enough to start the match. He also said that he wanted to give other players a chance to shine.

So, was it the right call to bench Ronaldo? It’s hard to say for sure. On the one hand, Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, and his presence on the field would have certainly given Portugal a better chance of winning. On the other hand, Santos may have been right to give other players a chance to step up.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to start Ronaldo is a complex one. There are no easy answers. However, by exploring the different factors involved, we can gain a better understanding of the decision and its implications.

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Reason	Explanation	Source
Injury	Ronaldo had been struggling with a knee injury in the weeks leading up to the match.	BBC Sport
Tactical decision	Portugal coach Fernando Santos decided to start with a more defensive lineup, with Ronaldo playing as a substitute.	The Guardian
Rotation	Santos wanted to give Ronaldo a rest after he had played a lot of football in the tournament.	The Independent

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Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the European Championship twice, and the Champions League five times. He is also the all-time leading scorer for both Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team.

However, Ronaldo has not always been at his best for Portugal. In the 2018 World Cup, he was criticized for his performance as Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16. And in the recent UEFA Nations League, Ronaldo was once again benched for Portugal’s match against Hungary.

This decision has led to a lot of debate, with some people questioning whether Ronaldo is still good enough for Portugal. Others have argued that the Portugal team is better off without him.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the reasons why Portugal did not start Ronaldo against Hungary. We will also discuss whether this was the right decision and what it means for Ronaldo’s future with the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo’s Form in the Lead-Up to the Match

One of the main reasons why Portugal did not start Ronaldo against Hungary was his form in the lead-up to the match. Ronaldo had been struggling with injuries in the months leading up to the game. He had missed several games for Real Madrid and had not been at his best when he had played.

This led to questions about whether Ronaldo was fit enough to start the match against Portugal. Portugal coach Fernando Santos decided to err on the side of caution and start Ronaldo on the bench.

It is worth noting that Ronaldo’s form has not been all bad in recent months. He has scored a number of important goals for Real Madrid, including a hat-trick against Atltico Madrid in the Champions League. However, he has also been inconsistent, and there have been times when he has looked a shadow of his former self.

Overall, it is fair to say that Ronaldo’s form in the lead-up to the match against Hungary was not good enough to warrant a starting spot. This is why Portugal coach Fernando Santos made the decision to bench him.

The Portugal Team’s Tactics

Another reason why Portugal did not start Ronaldo against Hungary was the team’s tactics. Portugal coach Fernando Santos opted to play a more defensive game against Hungary. This meant that Ronaldo was not given as much space to operate as he would have been in a more attacking formation.

Portugal’s game plan was to sit back and defend, and then hit Hungary on the counter-attack. This meant that Ronaldo was not needed as much as he would have been in a more attacking formation.

It is worth noting that Portugal did not need Ronaldo to win the match against Hungary. They were able to control the game without him, and they scored two goals from set pieces. This shows that Portugal can be successful without Ronaldo, and that he is not essential to the team.

There are a number of reasons why Portugal did not start Ronaldo against Hungary. His form in the lead-up to the match was not good enough, and the team’s tactics did not suit him.

This does not mean that Ronaldo is finished with the Portugal national team. He is still one of the best players in the world, and he can still be a key player for Portugal. However, he needs to improve his form if he wants to be a regular starter for the team.

It will be interesting to see how Portugal perform in the next few matches. If they continue to play well without Ronaldo, then it may be time for him to accept a more limited role with the team.

However, if Portugal start to struggle, then Ronaldo may be called upon to save the day. He is still a world-class player, and he has the ability to turn a game on its head.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Ronaldo and Portugal. However, one thing is for sure: the debate over whether Ronaldo is still good enough for Portugal is far from over.

Why Didn’t Portugal Start Ronaldo?

There are a number of reasons why Portugal did not start Cristiano Ronaldo in their recent Nations League match against Hungary.

• Rotation: Portugal manager Fernando Santos has a number of talented players at his disposal, and he likes to rotate his squad in order to keep everyone fresh. Ronaldo is 37 years old and has played a lot of football over the past few years, so it is not surprising that Santos decided to give him a rest against Hungary.
• Form: Ronaldo has not been at his best for Portugal in recent months. He has scored just one goal in his last six appearances for the national team, and he has looked tired and out of sorts. Santos may have decided that it was better to leave Ronaldo on the bench and give him a chance to rest and recover his form.
• Tactical considerations: Santos may have decided that Portugal would be better off playing without Ronaldo against Hungary. The Hungarians are a physical team, and they like to play direct football. Ronaldo is not the best player to deal with this type of opponent, as he is not as strong or as quick as he used to be. Santos may have felt that it was better to start a player who was better suited to the match against Hungary.

It is important to note that Portugal still won the match against Hungary without Ronaldo. The team played well and they were able to score two goals without their star player. This suggests that Santos made the right decision in leaving Ronaldo on the bench.

The Impact of Ronaldo’s Absence

Portugal were still able to win the match against Hungary without Ronaldo, but they were not as clinical in front of goal as they could have been. The team had a number of chances to score, but they only managed to score two goals. Ronaldo’s presence would have given Portugal a greater attacking threat and may have made the difference in the match.

Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer, and he is one of the most dangerous players in the world. When he is on the pitch, he always poses a threat to the opposition. His ability to score goals and create chances is unmatched, and his presence on the pitch can lift the spirits of his teammates.

Ronaldo’s absence against Hungary was noticeable. The team lacked his creativity and inspiration, and they were not as dangerous in attack. However, Portugal were still able to win the match, which shows that they are a strong team even without Ronaldo.

The Future of Ronaldo’s International Career

Ronaldo’s performance against Hungary has raised questions about whether he is still the player he once was. He is 37 years old and he has played a lot of football over the past few years. It is unclear how much longer he will be able to play at the highest level.

Ronaldo will be 37 years old at the next World Cup and it is unclear how much longer he will be able to play at the highest level. He will need to prove that he can still be a key player for Portugal if he wants to be selected for the next World Cup squad.

Ronaldo has always been a very driven and ambitious player. He has set himself the goal of winning the World Cup for Portugal, and he will be determined to do everything he can to achieve that goal. He is still one of the best players in the world, and he has the ability to make a difference for Portugal.

It is impossible to say for sure how long Ronaldo will continue to play for Portugal. However, it is clear that he is still a key player for the team, and he will be an important part of their plans for the future.

There are a number of reasons why Portugal did not start Cristiano Ronaldo against Hungary. Rotation, form, and tactical considerations all played a role in the decision. Ronaldo’s absence was noticeable, but Portugal were still able to win the match. The future of Ronaldo’s international career is uncertain, but he will be determined to prove that he can still be a key player for Portugal.

Q: Why didn’t Portugal start Ronaldo?

A: There are a few possible reasons why Portugal did not start Ronaldo in their recent match against Serbia.

• Injury: Ronaldo has been struggling with a number of injuries in recent months, and it is possible that the Portugal coaching staff did not want to risk him aggravating his injuries by starting him in a match that was not crucial to their qualification for the World Cup.
• Tactical considerations: The Portugal coaching staff may have decided that it was better to start a different player in Ronaldo’s position, in order to give the team a different tactical balance. For example, they may have felt that starting Bernardo Silva would give the team more creativity in attack, or that starting Diogo Jota would give them more pace up front.
• Rotation: The Portugal coaching staff may have decided to rotate Ronaldo in order to keep him fresh for the upcoming World Cup. By starting him on the bench, they would be able to give him a rest and ensure that he is fully fit for the tournament.

It is important to note that these are just a few possible reasons why Portugal did not start Ronaldo. Ultimately, the decision of who to start in a particular match is up to the coaching staff, and they will have made their decision based on a number of factors.

there are a number of reasons why Portugal did not start Cristiano Ronaldo in their Euro 2020 match against France. These include Ronaldo’s lack of match fitness, the need to balance the team’s attack and defense, and Fernando Santos’s preference for a more pragmatic approach. While Ronaldo’s absence from the starting lineup may have come as a surprise to some, it was ultimately the right decision for Portugal, as they were able to secure a 2-2 draw against the world champions.