Irreplaceable or burden? Ronaldo debate sweeps Portugalpublished at 16:27
Portugal v Czech Republic (20:00 BST)
Marcus Alves
BBC Sport
Bernardo Silva could not help but laugh when he heard the question about one of the biggest elephants in the room in Portugal.
“In the national team, when you’re all listening to the pre-match team talk, do you accept the tactical instructions right away or sometimes react like, ‘Ronaldo, man, can’t it be another way?’” asked Ricardo Araujo Pereira, a famous comedian and writer, during a show in March.
It was obviously a joke – and the Manchester City midfielder promptly denied that Ronaldo is the one giving orders – but such is the forward’s power within the dressing room that many in the country assume it to be true.
Although he was expected to retire from international football after the last World Cup, the Portugal legend remains a huge influence and will play at a record sixth European Championship this summer in Germany.
“I faced Ronaldo while coaching Everton in 2013,” Portugal manager Roberto Martinez told Canal 11. “For most players, when the body starts failing, the head accepts it. In his case, it seems to be the opposite. The body will only stop when the head says it has to stop.
“It’s incredible when a player of his age has the habits and the desire of an 18-year-old. He has an elite-level mindset and no limits. He’s been with the national team for 20 years now. That’s unique.”
