It was in the round of 16 three-and-a-half years ago when Fernando Santos pulled the plug on Cristiano Ronaldo. With his greatness sapped in Qatar, the wily manager pivoted to the younger and fresher Gonçalo Ramos, who subsequently netted a hat trick in Portugal’s 6–1 rout over Switzerland.
Could history repeat itself when Portugal take on Spain in the round of 16? In truth, it’s unlikely that Roberto Martínez, who has shown such loyalty to Ronaldo, will pull the pin and be that brave. The Spaniard has embarked on Ronaldo love-ins at every possible opportunity this summer, and before he was withdrawn in the latter stages against Croatia, the struggling 41-year-old had played every minute at the tournament.
