via Reuters
Soccer Football – World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – Group A – Portugal v Serbia – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – November 14, 2021 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
via Reuters
Soccer Football – World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – Group A – Portugal v Serbia – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – November 14, 2021 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
The Qatar World Cup 2022 is one of the most anticipated events in the world of football. However, there’s a huge possibility that Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be a part of the spectacle.
The Manchester United star holds the record for the highest number of international goals, but yet, he couldn’t steer his country to direct qualification over Serbia in their World Cup qualifying group. Portugal finished second, and it meant that the country would have to go to the fifteen-team play-offs where only three teams qualify.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal might face Italy in their path to the World Cup
The play-off draw was held today and both Italy and Portugal fans might not be happy. Both the nations were drawn in the same group as North Macedonia and Turkey. However, only one team can qualify out of the four and it means that either Portugal or Italy are set to miss out on the world cup.
🥁 The semi-finals are set for the European play-offs!
🎫 One team from each of the 3 paths will reach the #WorldCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cvkFwdzQoX
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo is already 36 and he’ll be 37 by the time the World Cup comes around. He doesn’t have a lot of time left at the top and while it isn’t impossible to see him playing for Portugal at 41, it seems highly unlikely. Hence, if he makes it, this could be his last World Cup.
Pressure mounts
Fernando Santos, the Portuguese manager, is already under fire for the national team’s performances. Several stars like Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias have failed to perform at the same level for their country as they do for their club, and questions have been raised on Santos’ man-management.
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Italy and Portugal have been drawn in the same qualifying path in World Cup playoffs.
One of them won't be going to the 2022 World Cup 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0W4Oh4XJ3k
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 26, 2021
Having already missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia, if Italy fails to reach another World Cup, the result would be disastrous for Roberto Mancini. Notably, they are the current holders of the UEFA Euro 2020 trophy after beating an emphatic England. However, all will be forgotten if they are to exit from the race to Qatar.
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Who do you think has the better chance of making it through? The 2020 Euro Champions or the 2016 Euro Champions?
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