Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s Aura Holds Portugal Back While Lionel Messi Frees Argentina

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been the epitome of contemporary football for almost 20 years. It is also likely that their rivalry is the biggest in the history of the sport. The duo has rewritten history many times over, and set records. However, with their career in the doldrums, their national teams are heading in different directions. It isn't due to their greatness, but because of the environments around them.

Yet, the fans have a different point of view. When Portugal fails, it's Ronaldo's fault. When Argentina are in their prime, Messi is credited with making all the difference.

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It's not all Cristiano Ronaldo's fault

However, this isn't true. The Portuguese superstar, Ronaldo, is in the spotlight again at today's World Cup and not only fans and former players have been criticising Roberto Martinez for his over-dependence on the veteran. It's just because of Martinez's deployment of Ronaldo as a lone attacker in Portugal, but Ronaldo was the attack's best-rated player in the group stage in the FIFA Power Rankings. Ronaldo isn't to blame, though - the real letdown has been their midfield.

Portugal's midfield is built on paper to be one of the best in the world with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves and Vitinha. They have the technical capability and can manage games. They have not been successful in this World Cup, despite their quality. Portugal drew 1-1 and it was goalless with Colombia. The only group stage success they had was against Uzbekistan in their first World Cup outing. Ronaldo dished out a pair of goals in the 5-0 spanking.

During the group stage, it seemed like Portugal didn't play as a team, and had a tendency to rely too heavily on Ronaldo as their central figure. In addition, there was a conflict between Ronaldo and Fernandes in the past as the former left Manchester United for his second spell. It was seen in the World Cup 2022 training sessions in Portugal.

Against DR Congo, it was common for Portugal to skip Ronaldo in their attacks, and operate more from the wings. It was hard to tell if that was due to tactical instructions or chemistry, but it certainly reduced his influence.

Ronaldo is also a man of high standards. When his teammates aren't doing well, he lets them know and that's quite self-serving for some. Also, managers are aware that if they drop Ronaldo, they will face criticism from fans and experts. These can affect the team's performance. Even those who oppose him know that they can issue challenges to Ronaldo now, as he has not got much pace left in him, plus he is old.

Argentina are an interesting contrast

Argentina have been faulted for relying on Messi for too long. But all that changed with Lionel Scaloni. The former player went a different way with his strategy. Rather than creating an attack for his skipper, he created a team that can operate without him. Displays were seen during Argentina's 2024 Copa America victory. He was replaced in the second half after he suffered an injury and his side earned an 1-0 win in extra time with a goal from Lautaro Martinez.

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Top players like Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martinez and Thiago Almada are among the many names that come to mind when considering the players that have joined Scaloni's squad this season. They don't have to run back to cover and they have clearly defined roles which helps Messi to have an impact on the game. Messi isn't even responsible for all attacking duties, as was the case in the past. He is still the team leader but he appears freer and won't be expected to do all the work himself.

It has once again been shown in this World Cup as Argentina topped their group. Messi had a hat trick in the initial game and a brace in the second game. He made his debut in the third match and scored a free-kick to make it six goals.

Legends don't win matches, World Cups are won by teams

Portugal will eventually be able to achieve that level. The team is stuffed with players playing for top European teams. Last season, Fernandes was undoubtedly Manchester United's spark plug in their revival. In the meantime, PSG have become a back-to-back-away European success that is led by their spine of Vitinha and Joao Neves. Bernardo Silva remains one of the top creative midfielders and Rafael Leao is a lightening quick winger. The opposition also have their own share of star players, with the likes of Nuno Mendes, arguably the best left back in the world at the moment, dominating the defence.

They've frequently failed to look like the sum of their parts, even with the stars' names. Whether Ronaldo sits on the bench or starts, it means there are deeper issues, it suggests that.

The severe problem facing Portugal isn't that they're not moving on from Ronaldo, it's just that they're too late to do that - particularly in the middle of a World Cup campaign. It's about having a system that will allow him to work around the team and not be the focus. Legends do not win matches, it is usually teams that win their way into a World Cup.

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