Majority of expats 'demand' Ronaldo, but some now want Gonçalo Ramos

DALLAS — As the clock ticks down to the highly anticipated Iberian showdown with Spain, tactical discussions surrounding the Portuguese national team are intensifying.

In the vicinity of the national squad, first in Toronto and now in Dallas, amidst an atmosphere charged with emotion and camaraderie, A BOLA's microphone sought to gauge the pulse of the expatriate community with a direct question: if you were the national coach, would your starting XI against the Spanish armada feature Cristiano Ronaldo or Gonçalo Ramos?

The choice isn't straightforward, especially after a match against Croatia where both Portuguese forwards left a significant mark. Ronaldo scored the historic equalizer, breaking his knockout stage goal drought, while Gonçalo Ramos, introduced from the bench with a keen instinct, fired home in the 90+4th minute to seal an epic victory.

Among the fervent Portuguese community abroad, the weight of history and the respect for everything the captain represents continue to sway opinions. For the overwhelming majority, Cristiano Ronaldo remains untouchable in the starting lineup, as seen in the video at the top of this page.

“Always Ronaldo, he is the pride of our nation and our pillar,” fans were heard saying. The captain is seen as the indispensable beacon for a battle of this magnitude.

However, Ramos's youth and freshness are starting to gain ground. More and more voices are calling for the forward to start from the opening whistle. “Ramos deserves the opportunity, he has a sharp nose for goal,” some counter, impressed by the impact of the number 9.

There were even those who rejected the dilemma entirely, opting for maximum audacity: “I'd play both of them from the start; Spain would be shaking.” Martínez has the final say, but the voice of the people has already set the tone.