The Inverse Cristiano Ronaldo Effect and Martínez's Detrimental Impact

With the World Cup group stage concluded and Portugal's subsequent opponents revealed, an early exit from the tournament seemed more probable than hitting the lottery. It was a foregone conclusion, a fate understood by all who never truly grasped how this team operated. A collection of global superstars, devoid of their usual sparkle, and who don't emerge unscathed from this narrative. Some were unrecognizable, poorly managed by the only one who, even after a dismal performance against Colombia, managed to see "a good test" for a new World Cup that began that day but ultimately lasted… just two more matches.

Among Portugal's planetary stars, one transcends that, becoming universal. He filled most stadiums where the National Team played in North America, drawing loyal fans, some so young they never witnessed CR7's prime, yet they follow him religiously, celebrating his triumphs and mourning his defeats. This is the Cristiano Ronaldo effect, a phenomenon of such magnitude that no Portuguese citizen has ever achieved, nor is likely to again anytime soon.

The CR7 phenomenon possesses the magnificent gift of making Portugal known in every corner of the world, inspiring people to wear jerseys emblazoned with the country's name, fostering connection and goodwill towards the Portuguese. However, it also has an inverse effect, evident in this World Cup, where Cristiano should have realized his role needed to evolve. Roberto Martínez would never have had the courage to relegate him to a secondary role, yet it was in such a supporting capacity that CR7 might still have won an Oscar, an achievement that, at this stage of his career, would hold as much, if not more, value than a leading role.

This inverse CR7 effect I speak of results, for instance, in American stadiums packed with fans in Portugal jerseys who, deep down, aren't truly there to support Portugal. I don't recall hearing the country's name chanted during any of the five matches. They weren't Portugal fans; they were Cristiano Ronaldo fans, and of a Cristiano who is light-years from his former self, a fact he hasn't yet grasped. Consequently, at 41, he bid a inglorious farewell to the World Cups. Essentially, they were fans of a single man, 'fake' supporters of a team whose backing always sounded canned because it wasn't directly aimed at them.

A new national coach is on the horizon. If it's Jorge Jesus, he won't be merely a coach, as Martínez was, squandering one of the best national generations just as he had squandered one of Belgium's best. If it's JJ, we'll have a coach who can restore a sense of Portuguese identity that has long been lost within the National Team and was never found with Martínez.

However, this cannot involve CR7. While this World Cup might have seen him in a secondary role, it makes no sense for him to continue in that capacity, even if he were to accept it now, in the upcoming cycle. In two years, he'll be 43, with fewer chances of being fit for Euro 2028.

And to speak of the UEFA Nations League, the next competition and the title Martínez won and boasted about, is akin to a top club manager puffing out his chest for winning the League Cup in a season where he couldn't even reach the Champions League. Let's be honest, the Nations League is the equivalent of the League Cup for national teams… If we're starting a new cycle, it needs to be a complete overhaul. Understanding this would only make Cristiano Ronaldo even greater than he already was. Because despite everything, in Portuguese football, there isn't, hasn't been, and very rarely will there be anyone as significant.