Leading man: Goncalo Ramos paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Cristiano Ronaldo remains an “idol” to many in the Portugal squad according to Goncalo Ramos, who took the opportunity of his first international start with both hands.
The build-up to the team’s last-16 clash against Switzerland was dominated by talk of Ronaldo potentially being dropped, a combination of his poor form and also his reaction to being substituted against South Korea believed to be behind Fernando Santos’ desire to look elsewhere.
That was confirmed when the team news came out, Ronaldo named among the substitutes and in his place 21-year-old Ramos, who played for a grand total of ten minutes in the group stage, leading the line.
Ramos produced a remarkable display, opening the scoring with a stunning strike before notching two more after the break, as he brought up the first hat-trick of the World Cup in Qatar.
There was also an assist in there for good measure, as Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 and set up a quarter-final clash against Morocco.
It certainly felt like the end of an era, Ronaldo watching on from the bench as a vibrant front-line tore Switzerland apart. The 37-year-old came on in the second-half and had the ball in the net, only to be denied by the offside flag.
What part Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United, plays in the rest of the tournament remains to be seen, but Ramos insisted Portugal’s captain is still the player the squad look up to.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is our leader,” Ramos said after the match.
“He is my reference and an idol to many of us.”
