“Cristiano Ronaldo…Was a Problem for Portugal” – Al Nassr Star’s World Cup Stint Blasted by Outspoken Analyst

For Cristiano Ronaldo, it was a memorable international break with Portugal. The soccer veteran scored a brace in a 3-2 win over Slovakia that guaranteed their qualification for Euro 2024. He kept going and continued his scoring streak. Despite praise all around the Al Nassr star, one pundit heavily criticized Cristiano Ronaldo while bringing back his poor showing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had the support of his family as well his sister Katia Aveiro publicly showered praise on her brother for his outstanding achievements in 2023. However, ESPN’s Craig Burley made statements suggesting that at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the soccer legend was a ‘problem’ for Portugal as compared to Lionel Messi’s influence on Argentina.

Why was Cristiano Ronaldo a ‘problem’ for Portugal at the World Cup?

Speaking on the ESPN FC podcast, while comparing Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup performance to Lionel Messi, Scottish pundit Craig Burley said, “Cristiano Ronaldo at the last World Cup was a problem for Portugal. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Lionel Messi was not a problem for Argentina, he was the hub of everything that they did well so he did not need dropping. Right, nobody was going around Argentina or the rest of the world going what’s he going to do with Messi because he’s a problem and that’s the difference one of them was still able to really carry his team and the other could not.”

Burley’s comments come despite Ronaldo’s excellent showcase in the most recent international break gone by. His goals helped propel Seleção das Quinas to qualification for the tournament in Germany next year as group toppers of Group J. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was seen slightly struggling and limping after Portugal’s game against Bosnia & Herzegovina, which caused a bit of a stir on social media. What exactly happened?

Also read: Hours After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Son’s Al Nassr Debut, Lionel Messi’s Son Tears Up for Inter Miami

Ronaldo seen limping after Portugal game as Al Nassr fans raise eyebrows

The former Real Madrid star was on target for Portugal against Bosnia just before rejoining Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 5th and 20th minute in Portugal’s 5-0 win. Portugal had already secured qualification for Euro 2024 in their previous game against Slovakia. The captain slotted home a penalty and then combined with Bruno Fernandes for his 2nd on the night. However, after the game pictures revealed the Al Nassr forward struggling slightly and limping off.

There have been no reports that Ronaldo has sustained any injury, as compared to his Al Hilal rival Neymar who was stretchered off in Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay. However, it surely is good news that Ronaldo hasn’t picked up a knock despite his slight limping, and does seem as though the Portuguese star is in a better position to now lead Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title after the injury to and major blow to Al Hilal’s Neymar.

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