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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Miguel Dantas

Cristiano Ronaldo risks ruining his legacy if he continues to stymie Portugal by starting

Cristiano Ronaldo RONALDO SCHEMIDT Portugal. Roberto Martínez DRC Fernando Santos Football
Cristiano Ronaldo wipes his hair at a hydration break during Portugal's game with the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cristiano Ronaldo does not deserve blame for wanting to play every minute for Portugal but players of his stature have a duty to recognise their star has diminished. Photograph: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo’s problem is not his age. It is that nobody seems willing to tell him to his face what everyone else can see. In Portugal, patience for the legend has run dry.

Ronaldo is not fit to be a Portugal starter any more. What would have sounded like a treasonous statement a few years ago now looks an obvious truth. At least to everyone except the national team manager, Roberto Martínez, and his coaching staff.

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