FIFA 2010 World Cup: Did Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal in defeat over Spain
The current European Champions, Spain retired the Portuguese team from this times 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa after a tough encounter. Portugal's World Cup came to a disgruntled end in Cape Town with the score board reading 1-0 at the end of the match, the game nevertheless a thriller and enjoyed by all.
Spain was the team in charge though, as it called the shots throughout the game keeping the ball constantly in the Portuguese half of the ground. Portugal did play well but not up to their expected standards and the Spanish with their one touch quick passes aced over them with team work. They had the majority of the possession especially in comparison the offence of both teams.
Experts had already predicted that the team with the more offensive possession would win the match and Spain proved that. They had more attempts between the goal posts than the Portuguese and then they had David Villa; the man who can be easily tarred as the best player of the tournament so far.
Many were looking to Cristiano Ronaldo, the preceding World Footballer of the Year to do something phenomenal. Still despite the fact that so many prayed and hoped, it was not Ronaldo’s night, and to look at it from an over view this was not at all Ronaldo’s World Cup either as he never played his above average game.
A lot of fans had their eyes set on Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo that these players would dictate the match with their footwork, their abilities and skills. Though Messi and Kaka have moved on to the quarterfinals, Ronaldo now returns home his fans disappointed with him.
A lot of press blamed Ronaldo that he did not to do enough and that he should have tried to bring back the Portuguese side if not by skill, than encouragement and motivation. He should have led the team by example and have created obstacles from letting Spain get so comfortable.
A lot of the headlines commented on Ronaldos’s efforts being inadequate and worthless. If you would have noticed throughout the match, you only heard Ronaldo’s name a few times and in the second half only like once or twice. A newspaper headline read that Ronaldo has left this year’s World Cup without leaving any mark of his own. Another commented by saying that “the Madrid man virtually did not exist.” While another went as far to say, that Ronaldo had played his worst match ever for the national side.
Even though a lot were blaming Ronaldo, Carlos Quieroz should not go without reckoning as well. A head line read actually read that “Portugal eliminated after an error by Carlos Queiroz” while another commented on Quieroz as an non-ambitious coach
The problem that is analyzed by many experts is that the problem with Ronaldo was that he is used to club football, where he plays with the top notch players from the world. Therefore, he lacked in responsibility and the zeal to lead as he was constantly supported by his team.
Another major factor for lack-lustrous performance was his position on the field, while he was supposed to play as an attacking midfielder; he was positioned as a central midfielder. He himself loves to play either at the wings or at the forward position. This new position had him fumbled all over the field and this is perhaps why he couldn’t give his star performance.
The question that comes to mind now is that did Portugal play to their worth? No one can say that the Spanish were just flawless and gave one h**l of a performance. Villa was on the score sheet and all other players like Alonso, Busquests, Xavi, and Ramos played their part. Xavi was especially exceptional playing brilliantly in the midfield. Spain faces Paraguay now in the city of Johannesburg and now a lot of experts are expecting Spain to come up on top.
Spain is benefiting right now from the Barca style game play, as they have eight players on their squad which is like a gift from heaven.
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