The truth is, many Ronaldo fans don’t want to admit that he probably shouldn’t even be at this World Cup in the first place.

For me, 2022 should have been Ronaldo’s last world cup because of his age and the fact that some of the attributes that once made him unstoppable are no longer there.
I know some people will say, “If Ronaldo shouldn’t be here, then why is Messi still playing?”
The difference is clear if you actually watch football.
Messi’s game has never depended heavily on physicality.
the main thing that has declined over the years is his running ability and stamina, but his dribbling, vision, creativity, close control, football iq , and goal scoring instincts are still there for everyone to see.
with Ronaldo, the decline in his physical attributes has had a much bigger impact on his overall game.
not every football legend gets the chance to leave on their own terms, but Ronaldo had that opportunity. Instead, he kept going.
at times, it feels like he’s still chasing records and achievements, especially with the constant comparisons to Messi.
what makes it harder to understand is that Pepe, his longtime teammate and one of Portugal’s greatest defenders, knew when it was time to call it a day.
Pepe stepped aside and allowed the next generation to take over. Ronaldo could have done the same.
They could have left the national team together and closed one of the greatest chapters in Portugal’s football history.
there’s nothing wrong with wanting to compete, but every great player eventually reaches a point where they have to accept that their time is up.
Football moves on, and new players need the opportunity to lead.
like the saying goes, a good dancer knows when to leave the stage.
sometimes, protecting your legacy isn’t about staying longer, it’s about knowing when to walk away.