Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team and its all-time record scorer, did not return to Lisbon with his teammates following Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16. Ronaldo arrived in his home country via a private aircraft. According to Marca, Ronaldo was notably cordial with the airport staff, bidding farewell to all airport employees.
The legendary Portuguese striker faced criticism throughout this World Cup tournament. While Portugal possesses a squad featuring several world-class players, many critics questioned the captain’s integration into the team and his overall contribution. This marked Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup appearance, following tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.
His performance drew comparisons to other notable figures, though the spotlight remained on his perceived underperformance. Unlike past stars such as Ronaldinho, who often commanded attention regardless of the team’s result, Ronaldo’s departure was marked by a private exit. The scrutiny surrounding his role in the squad was considerable, suggesting that his impact was not meeting expectations for the team’s overall success in Portugal.
Topics: #ronaldinho #not #portugal
