2026-01-24 12:38:52
Maniche believes Portugal “suffer” without Cristiano Ronaldo in the side.
The 48-year-old former footballer is “convinced” his country still need his former teammate in their starting line-up, even if his goalscoring rate for the side has dropped in recent years, because he is still a “dangerous” player.
Maniche told FourFourTwo magazine: “The quality of centre-backs at a World cup is high, which may explain why he hasn’t been as decisive in major tournaments, but I’m convinced that when Cristiano doesn’t play, Portugal suffer.
“Cristiano and Portugal need to understand each other.
“He’s no longer the fast player he once was, he can’t do three things at a time any more, but he’s still lethal in the box and that’s what he needs to maximise.
“The team needs to provide him with those opportunities, because he hasn’t forgotten how to score.
“Even if he wants to be more involved in the build-up, Cristiano must realise he’s more dangerous in the penalty area, not only because of what he can create, but because of how he forces opponents to react to him.
“Cristiano being in the team is an advantage.”
But Maniche acknowledged not all of his countrymen feel the same.
He said: “Right now, Portugal is quite polarised.
“Forty percent don’t want Ronaldo to start [in the US World Cup] – they prefer Goncalo Ramos as they think he fits better with the playing style that Roberto Martinez wants.
“I’m part of the 60 percent who think Ronaldo should start, because defences respect Cristiano so much that they can put more than one player on him and that can open up spaces for others.
“You can’t live off the past, but you mustn’t forget it either.
“He’s still a relevant player who makes a difference.”
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