Ronaldo fails to impress again in Portugal's draw with Colombia

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to scoring against Uzbekistan, shouting "I'm back" to the cameras, was overshadowed by a lackluster performance in Portugal's subsequent 0-0 draw with Colombia. The week prior had been dominated by discussions of his return, but against the world's 52nd-ranked team, his impact was minimal. French football legend Thierry Henry noted on American TV that Ronaldo's drive to score sometimes hindered teammates with better scoring opportunities.

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I’m back

In the match against Colombia, Ronaldo, one of football's greatest players, appeared disengaged for large portions of the game. While he occasionally dropped back to pass, his intensity waned during a fast-paced match, failing to sprint forward or muster powerful shots. In the first half, he made fewer passes than the Portuguese goalkeeper. When he lost possession early in the second half, he made no attempt to win it back.

Despite his diminished on-field presence, Ronaldo remains a phenomenon. Colombian fans dominated the stadium in Miami, yet many wearing Portuguese colors sported his name and number 7. He emerged first for warm-ups and was followed by cameras as he walked from the locker room. At 41, he is the second-oldest outfield player ever in the World Cup, surpassed only by Roger Milla. However, a debate has intensified in Portugal about his continued inclusion in the national team, especially after a ten-game scoring drought in major tournaments before his Uzbekistan goals. With Goncalo Ramos on the bench, Portugal has a capable replacement, though a true top striker is lacking.

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The team must score, not you

Moments of his past brilliance surfaced, like a first-half bicycle kick and a technical cross. Yet, a header saw him barely jump, followed by a gesture suggesting the ball was too high, drawing a frustrated look from teammate Joao Felix. Shortly after, Ronaldo was offside, his shot going wide. While top players like Lionel Messi can be effective walkers who accelerate with the ball, Ronaldo's past speed was a weapon that seems to have vanished. Portugal, with midfielders Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, showed promise, but the team's overall effectiveness was compromised by Ronaldo's current limitations.

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This is the first match we have come to, but we will go all the way to the final