Boateng argued that the presence of the Al-Nassr superstar creates an unhealthy tactical gravity where teammates feel obligated to find him at every opportunity. “Can I be honest? Ronaldo, if he were a true team player, would step aside and let the young players shine,” Boateng stated during his television appearance, highlighting the pressure his presence exerts on the squad.
He further elaborated on why the Seleccao might flourish more in his absence, adding: “Portugal is a better team without him. There is so much pressure when he is in the middle, because everyone wants to pass him the ball.” The sentiment echoes the debates seen during Qatar 2022, where Portugal’s best attacking performance came when Ronaldo was started on the bench against Switzerland.
