Cristiano Ronaldo's Legacy at the World Cup: Will 2022 Disappoint?

A surge of animosity appears to swirl around Cristiano Ronaldo now. His recent demeanor has been deemed wildly offside, resulting in his abrupt dismissal by his club—an unforeseen turn for Portugal leading into the 2022 World Cup.

Reflecting on Ronaldo's odyssey with the Portuguese national team throughout the World Cup is quite intriguing. From his inception into the tournament till the present day, his ambition in this fifth World Cup resonates profoundly as he strives for a triumphant finale. However, could the mounting array of issues, like the current turmoil, prove to be an anticlimax for him?

Since his debut in the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo has undeniably basked in the limelight. The clash against England during that period was a crucible of emotions. Ronaldo seemed to incur the wrath of much of the English populace due to his pivotal role in ousting the England national team in the quarter-finals on penalties.

Furthermore, he was perceived as a provocateur, which culminated in the red card for his Manchester United teammate, Wayne Rooney. Despite subsequent media portrayals suggesting an amicable relationship between Ronaldo and Rooney, one must ponder, given Rooney's recent critique of Ronaldo, whether the wounds from 2006 truly endure.

Ronaldo, then a 21-year-old debutant, sported the number 19 jersey. He was hailed by Luis Felipe Scolari as a burgeoning star, owing to his burgeoning performances at Manchester United. Guided by Luis Figo, he became a pivotal figure in Portugal's alternative offensive strategies at that time.

He graced the field six times during his debut, albeit not always in the starting lineup. His inaugural World Cup journey featured a solitary yellow card and a goal against Iran. Nevertheless, his debut concluded with Portugal bowing out in the semi-finals against France, ultimately conceding to host Germany in the race for third place.

The narrative unfolded further at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Ronaldo embarked on his second World Cup journey at the youthful age of 25, recently claiming the title of the world's most expensive player following his acquisition by Real Madrid. It was during this period that the captain's armband found its way onto his arm.

Despite his triumphs at the club level, Ronaldo encountered a dry spell in terms of goals during the national team's qualifying matches. His pilgrimage to the 2010 World Cup occurred in the absence of his mentor, Luis Figo.

The symbolic inheritance of Figo's legendary number 7 jersey was bestowed upon him. This signaled his pivotal role in Portugal's offensive strategies under the guidance of coach Carlos Queiroz. However, burdened with such expectations, Ronaldo found himself unable to meet them.

Portugal progressed through the group phase as runners-up to Brazil. Nonetheless, Ronaldo's lone goal came against North Korea. Despite securing a spot in the last 16, both he and the Portuguese contingent faced scrutiny from the local media due to his lackluster performance.

The climax arrived in the round of 16 when they faced the reigning Euro 2008 champions, Spain. Their journey met a halt there. Ronaldo, seeking to evade blame for the defeat, redirected the media to question the coach about the team's failure. Queiroz, in response, delivered a sharp retort: "If this jersey discourages certain players, then they have no right to wear it."

After two contentious World Cups, Ronaldo sought redemption at his third outing in Brazil in 2014, now at the age of 29.

Under the guidance of coach Paulo Bento, Ronaldo, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder and a Champions League victor with Real Madrid, seemed poised to elevate Portugal further. However, reality diverged from expectations, and Ronaldo's fate in this World Cup once again faced adversity.

Grouped with Germany, the USA, and Ghana, Portugal's initial match saw them humbled by Germany 4-0, an embarrassing setback for Ronaldo. Consequently, this World Cup marked Portugal's and Ronaldo's most underwhelming performance as they failed to progress from the Group Phase, landing third in the standings behind Germany and the US.

Arriving at the 2018 World Cup in Russia marked Ronaldo's fourth appearance at 33. Both he and Portugal descended upon Russia buoyed by their victorious 2016 European Cup campaign, hailed as the frontrunners expected to replicate their previous success.

Individually, Ronaldo continued to shine, retaining the Ballon d'Or and securing his third Champions League win with Real Madrid.

This time around, Ronaldo truly made his mark. His four-goal tally in the tournament showcased his burgeoning form in World Cup matches since his debut. His remarkable hat trick against Spain and the crucial goal versus Morocco etched his name into history, surpassing Ferenc Puskas as the top scorer in national team history, boasting 85 goals.

However, the records set couldn't pave Portugal's path to further glory in Russia. Their journey was cut short in the round of 16, defeated by Uruguay. Once again, Ronaldo and Portugal fell short of replicating the 2016 fairytale, postponing his dream of clinching a World Cup title.

In the current 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo faces a cascade of problems. His departure for Qatar follows controversies surrounding an interview that strained relations with his club, Manchester United. His on-field performance has also been under constant criticism this season, marking a significant decline.

The cohesion within Fernando Santos' Portugal team remains a puzzle, accentuated by the distant attitude of Ronaldo's national teammates like Bruno and Cancelo. Nevertheless, all speculations about rifts have been debunked.

Despite the Portuguese national team's condition not being as dire as anticipated, Ronaldo acknowledges their improved harmony. However, Ronaldo's presence in Qatar comes with a myriad of personal issues, potentially casting a shadow on the course of the competition. The looming possibility exists that these challenges may profoundly impact the tournament's trajectory.