'Are Portugal better without Ronaldo' is not the right question - but that it's being asked is a resounding answer for the only question that matters
After Portugal defeated Sweden 3-0 at home in a convincing manner despite the absence of talisman and captain Cristiano Ronaldo, some began to ponder the unthinkable: could Portugal really be a better team without the Juventus star?
Across Portugal’s last 5 games, two have been played in the absence of Ronaldo - a hugely impressive 4-1 victory over World Cup finalists Croatia, and the recent dismantling of Sweden. Both were big wins, with Portugal scoring a combined 7 goals, while they played some entertaining attacking football at times too.
But the idea that Portugal could be better without the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner remains completely alien to many people - and you can understand why. The truly extraordinary nature of Ronaldo has largely been what has taken Portuguese football to the exceptional level in which it currently finds itself. He has been the benchmark for sustained greatness, a legendary figure in the game that much of the current crop of Portuguese players have been looking up to and aspiring to emulate.
But the suggestion that Portugal are beginning to look a better side without the superstar from Madeira is a novel, perhaps absurd, idea that has been suggested with growing regularity - though that is certainly not an opinion that Fernando Santos, the man that matters most, shares, commenting that “A team that has the best in the world cannot be better without the best in the world.”
That is an opinion shared by his teammates too, with Bruno Fernandes echoing the thoughts of his manager, stating “the team has great values but it is obvious that it is easier to win with the best in the world.”
And the brilliant aspect of having Ronaldo in the Portugal squad and starting XI needs no explanation. When Ronaldo is on the pitch, he can drag Portugal to victory even when the side’s performance proves to be subpar. When he is on the field, you know you always have a chance to win, as he offers that innate ability to make something happen from practically any situation.
Ultimately, however, asking if Portugal are better without Ronaldo is entirely the wrong question - but that people are asking it is incredibly encouraging, and provides a resounding answer for the only question that has any importance at all: Are Portugal in good hands as they prepare for a post-Ronaldo future?
The answer is quite clearly yes. Hark back just 3 or 4 years ago. The very thought of going into a difficult clash against a side like Sweden or Croatia without Cristiano Ronaldo would have struck intense fear in even the most optimistic Portugal fans across the globe. Now, that simply is not the case, with Portugal possessing the strength in depth to play to a high standard even in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
With so many young players also within the squad and waiting to break into the first team, there is even more reason to be incredibly optimistic that Portugal can remain a global powerhouse when the greatest the nation has ever seen chooses to hang up his boots.
