Ronaldo Still Wants to Be Mentioned With Messi and Mbappé — But Colombia Showed How Far He Has to Go
CR7 screamed 'I'm back' after thrashing Uzbekistan, but Colombia controlled Portugal with ease. What does that say about Portugal's chances at the World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo screamed "I'm back!" into the camera after Portugal dispatched Uzbekistan. Dramatic, theatrical, quintessentially him. But Colombia, who just knocked Portugal off the top of Group K with a draw, doesn't seem to have gotten the message.
Against Uzbekistan, CR7 was involved. Against Colombia, he was comfortably kept quiet by the Colombians, according to The Guardian. The gap between those two opponents tells a story Ronaldo would rather not hear.
The problem was never his desire — it never has been. It's that time, the only rival that has never lost to him, keeps marching on. At 41, Ronaldo still wants to be mentioned alongside Messi, Mbappé and Haaland. And he was, without question. Today, that conversation is more complicated.
Meanwhile, Portugal remain alive at the World Cup — but with warning signs flashing. The Golmetria model gives the squad just a 3.54% chance of lifting the trophy, well below Argentina (20.9%) and France (10.65%). A place in the round of sixteen looks likely, but going deep requires more than nostalgia and goals against modest opposition.
The question hanging in the air is simple and brutal: will Portugal go far at this World Cup in spite of Ronaldo, or because of him? The answer may come in the round of sixteen — and it will say a great deal about the final legacy of the all-time top scorer in international football history.