After Cristiano Ronaldo played a fundamental role in winning four Champions League titles in the last five years for Real Madrid, the Portugal captain is expected to emerge as Juventus’ guiding light in their quest for UCL victory.

Since winning the trophy in 1996, Juventus has played five finals but failed to win a single one including twice in the last four years. The Italian side lost the 2017 final and last year’s quarter-final to Ronaldo’s individual brilliance.

A tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary time at Real Madrid

Having realized his childhood dream to play for Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be finishing his storied career in the Spanish capital. While many other articles have chosen only to tease out the reasons why he left, PortuGOAL.net would like to establish the true significance of Ronaldo's time in Madrid. A time in which he surely became so much more than any pundit or fan would have thought him capable.

Nathan Motz recounts the conquering tale of Cristiano Ronaldo from a different perspective as Portugal's talisman departs on a new adventure with Juventus.

  1.   3 Comment
  2.   2348 Views
  SupremoGino — This is a phenomenal read..thoroughly enjoyed it. @Chris It will be funny to see what unfolds at Real Madrid. Can't imagine Lopetegui having them play tiki-taka. At least they won't be blaming Ronaldo once that clown show arrives.....
  Chris — Great great article Nathan. Agreed on so many points. Also agree with Jon on all but one thing; Pele. Pele is the most overrated player in history for me. Yes he has 3 world cups but he was injured and barely played 1 game in 1962. In ‘58 he scored less than half the goals (6) of the man who w......
  jon/usa — Brilliant read, Nathan! Cristiano Ronaldo is unquestionably one of the greatest footballers of all time. In my opinion, he and Messi are already up on the Mt. Rushmore of footballing gods alongside Pele and Maradona. He is the greatest goal-scorer the world has ever seen, and his ability to adapt an......

Was Portugal’s performance at World Cup 2018 underwhelming, in line with expectations, unlucky, or as the kids today like to say, just “meh”? The post-tournament reaction (or lack of it) would seem to indicate the last option.

There have been no recriminations flying around the media, no headlines demanding radical reform, not even a call for a period of introspection. Indeed, the silence has been deafening in terms of any formal reaction from the Portuguese Football Federation, coach Fernando Santos or the players regarding the campaign of the European Champions in Russia.

PortuGOAL assesses the Seleção’s showing at World Cup 2018 and looks for pointers for the future.

  1.   17 Comment
  2.   2896 Views
  Tomas Sheehan — simple quaresma fonte alvez moutinho am who else all the oldies need to step down... pepe i would like to stay hes just as good as Ronaldo is for the team for now...
  Rolf Gerber — Thank you for this excellent analysis, Tom. You totally nailed it. We don't know what would have happened, if Portugal fell on the stronger side of the draw at the Euros - and we don't know what could have been when falling to the weaker side of the draw at the WC... Anyway: If the younger players g......
  Jose Da Costa — One thing that no one seems to be talking about is Portugal lack of threat from outside the box. In the past, we had players like Carlos Martins, Maniche, Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso, just to name a few who could really shoot the ball from a secondary position. Against team Like Uruguay that defend......

Portugal’s World Cup adventure came to a premature end last night after a narrow 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16. The exit is an obvious disappointment for Seleção fans everywhere, but just as frustrating was the team’s failure to fulfil their potential to perform with what looked a strong group of players coming into the tournament.

One such player who did not live up to expectations in Russia was Bernardo Silva, failing to settle into Fernando Santos’ system throughout the group stage. However, the Manchester City winger was Portugal’s standout performer in Sochi, showing renewed confidence and positivity on the ball even if it was ultimately not enough to help his team through to the quarter-finals.

  1.   58 Comment
  2.   5167 Views
  Filipe da Silva — Ok, just one comment for the record. Seeing a few comments that the team is set up entirely to get the best out of Ronaldo and I would say that it has been the complete opposite since 2014 when Santos took over. Ronaldo does not enjoy to play as a centre forward and at his club where they have world......
  Jose DA Costa — Forca85......Great Job!! Love your post. Allot of Portugal fan believe they know more about our national team than our coach who helped Portugal win us our first major trophy!! My favourite is when they are all here screaming for Santos to play all these young players and get rid of Quaresma, Ronald......
  Roger — Santos won us a title, so it would be harsh to sack him before 2020. However, let's look at the mistakes he made (and that a lot of us predicted) 1. Taking Guerreiro - He was clearly unfit to play and he isn't a LB. He cost us a couple goals. 2. Taking Joao Mario - out of form, out of match pract......

Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end in Sochi tonight as they were beaten by a brilliant brace from Uruguayan centre-forward Edinson Cavani.

An improved performance perhaps deserved better. Pepe was again excellent, and a tactical switch by Fernando Santos at half time perhaps points the way for Portugal going forward, Bernardo Silva proving far more effective when moved into the middle, and looking Portugal’s most likely route back into the game.

On the downside Gonçalo Guedes and Ricardo Pereira had nights to forget, while two stars of Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph two years ago, João Mário and Raphaël Guerreiro, completed a below-par World Cup with another disappointing match.

  1.   1 Comment
  2.   2681 Views
  Ivo — While I’ve been wanting to see Pereira play for some time, I don’t think bringing him into the squad for the first time in a knockout game was a good choice by Santos. He should’ve given him some run against Iran or Morocco or better yet more friendly time and try to gauge his performance that......

Uruguay 2-1 Portugal

Portugal have been eliminated by Uruguay in the World Cup's Round of 16, courtesy of an Edinson Cavani brace in a 2-1 loss at the Fisht Stadium.

The European champions fell behind to Cavani's strike as early as the 7th minute, but Pepe's equaliser in the second half promised to provide a different kind of night for the Portuguese public.

Uruguay pulled ahead once more, however, this time in decisive fashion, as Cavani's match-winner in the 62nd minute moved his nation into the Quarter-finals at Portugal's expense.

  1.   24 Comment
  2.   2664 Views
  not1but11 — I am not going to crap on Santos but I think his project is over. I thank him for euro2016 but his time has passed and it is time to pass the keys over to a more progressive Portuguese coach. Hopefully someone who is younger than 60. Technically he is responsible for the loss because of his team sel......
  Rosario7 — Strangely at peace with the loss. We played like the Portugal I know and love (and hate since they aren't clinical but at least they kept going and trying). I kept believing they would pull it off until the last minute of injury time and when they didn't, I just felt an "aw well". It wasn't meant to......
  George — What a frustrating World Cup from Portugal. I still don't know what to make of it all, and I suppose that's the worst feeling to have after exiting a tournament. I was planning on watching the team throughout and beating my chest with pride win or lose because I was sure that we'd at least put on a ......

Portugal take on Uruguay at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16.

It shapes up as in intriguing battle with wily coaches Fernando Santos and Óscar Tabárez coming face to face.

PortuGOAL breaks down how both teams got to this stage, the key players and the tactical issues ahead of Saturday night’s big game.

  1.   18 Comment
  2.   3675 Views
  Rolf Gerber — We need an energy injection. Therefore Ricardo Pereira brings that on the pitch. But not instead of Cédric - put Bernardo in the AM position and take Moutinho as sub. That line-up would offer: Speed and high intensity on the wings and a healthy engine room in the middle topped with free flowing cre......
  Joao Rosario — right now, euro 2016 formation is not working for us. it is mainly due to absentees rather than tactics. sanches and nani has been key factors to that formation and their omission has been a problem for seleccao. bernardo silva, bruno fernandes, gancalo guedes are just not working. whether they are ......
  Hareesh,Kerala/India — If Santos is reluctant to field Adrien in the first eleven today the chance of failure will be very high.In my opinion Moutinho and Adrien should play together.My eleven for today: Patricio Pepe Fonte Guerreiro Cedric William Adrien Moutinho Quaresma Ronaldo Andre Silva ***VIVA PORTUGAL***......

Portugal have made it through to the last 16 of World Cup 2018, where they will play Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.

"Mission accomplished" was the general consensus from the Seleção players and coach Fernando Santos, although the less-than-brilliant performances so far in Russia will have given the coach plenty of food for thought.

The 1-1 draw against Iran threw up plenty of additional talking points. In the latest PortuGOAL World Cup 2018 podcast we assess the performances of Portugal's players against the Asian team, discuss the VAR contorversies, have our say on Carlos Queiroz and look ahead to the Uruguay clash.

  1.   3 Comment
  2.   2279 Views
  Felipe Dinis — Agree with consensus on here. We seem to step up against better opposition. Uruguay will be very tough similar to us in some ways. If we do have any chance of winning it we have to beat some great teams on the way. Forca Portugal...
  jon/usa — Portugal traditionally (regardless of our coach) tend to play to the level of their opponent, so I am expecting us to treat the Uruguay match like a final. The Uruguayans are rightfully praised for their superb defensive record, but they really haven't been tested by quality opposition. The Godin-Gi......
  Jerrold Hewson — Portugal seemed to play better against Spain than the other teams so I imagine playing against Uruguay, France and Brasil will bring g out our A game vs, playing against Russia, Croatia and Belgium. I hope Santos knows his winning cocktail and was keeping his recipe a secret to unleash on teams in ......

It was far from smooth sailing but Portugal booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup with an ultimately nail-biting 1-1 draw with Iran. A tricky tie against Uruguay awaits them after another team performance that did not hit the high notes, although there were some individual displays to praise.

The decision to introduce Adrien Silva into midfield proved an effective one, reuniting him with his former Sporting clubmate William Carvalho, who also produced a highly competent display. However the man of the match honours go to a veteran of the Seleção who once again proved just how essential he is to this team. Centre-back Pepe stopped almost everything that came his way alongside José Fonte at the heart of defence.

  1.   3 Comment
  2.   1861 Views
  joe — The one positive from the grub that Portugal has served up so far is the improvement of the Pepe/Fonte partnership. Now if only some of the mid-fielders sand Guerreiro started playing and helped out......
  Dev — Hey Tom, What's Jimenez status? Is he gonna play against Portugal? Some reports are suggesting that he will not be fit enough to play against Portugal....
  Nick J — For me Adrien Silva was the MOTM. His use of the ball and his transitioning between defence/midfield/attack was very good. Keeping the ball moving and using the possession gave the defence a rest and kept the Iran midfield/defence working. ok so, he got bypassed once or twice but that will happen wh......

Quaresma: “Queiroz should show more respect”

Portugal versus Iran may have not been the highest quality football match played at World Cup 2018, but it was certainly one of the most tense and dramatic, adorned with a wonder goal and a slew of controversial VAR decisions.

Emotions were running high at the end of the ninety minutes, with Carlos Queiroz furiously arguing that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo should have been sent off, and a number of Portugal players expressing their displeasure at how Iran’s Portuguese coach had conducted himself. PortuGOAL brings you all the match reaction.

  1.   16 Comment
  2.   3910 Views
  gabriel — Portugal not being treated fairly see Arg.vs Nig.Ronaldos penalty should been retaken.FPF SHOULD complain to FIFA.We should be playing Russia....
  Gabriel — In any tournament theres always going to be controversy.FIFA. has to take the blame.There the ones who pick the referees. VR They cant get it right even using it....
  Nick J — Off topic again but I see Sporting are about TO SACK SINSA Mihajlovic! ...

More Articles ...

  1. Portugal player ratings versus Iran
  2. Controversy denies Portugal top spot in Group B after 1-1 draw with Iran
  3. Portugal look to punch their last-16 ticket against Carlos Queiroz’s Iran
  4. PortuGOAL World Cup 2018 podcast: Morocco inquest
  5. Portugal Man of the Match vs Morocco: Rui Patrício

      

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Your dedication is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen in a player."

Marcelo, Real Madrid left-back
(Part of the Brazilian defender's public farewell message to former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo)
PortuGOAL pwa
At-a-glance
The Thirteenth Chapter

PortuGOAL RSS

feed-image Feed Entries

Partners

ZeroZero
maisfutebol.iol.pt