As Portugal navigates its current World Cup campaign, a recurring debate has emerged: is 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo a help or a hindrance to the national team? While his goal-scoring ability remains evident—highlighted by two goals against Uzbekistan—his lack of defensive tracking in draws against DR Congo and Colombia has sparked discussions about whether he limits the energy and pressing capabilities of Roberto Martinez's young squad.

The Necessity of Sacrifice

Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit in Miami, former teammate Nani believes there is no question about Ronaldo's place in the starting lineup. Nani argues that the team must adapt to Ronaldo's presence rather than expecting the veteran to change his game.

“Everyone should be trying their best to connect with Cristiano at this World Cup,” Nani told The Athletic. “He’s a player who will score goals until the end of this tournament. Trust me.”

Nani points out that elite teams across the globe make similar concessions for their legendary players, citing Neymar for Brazil, Kylian Mbappé for France, and Lionel Messi for Argentina. He emphasizes that while some critics argue Ronaldo drains the team's energy, his ability to attract defenders and decide a game is irreplaceable. “The only thing is players need to run for him,” Nani asserted.

Personal Experience with the 'Ronaldo System'

Nani recalled his own experience during Portugal's triumphant Euro 2016 campaign. Under then-coach Fernando Santos, Nani was tasked with covering immense ground to compensate for Ronaldo's limited defensive contributions. Nani claims he covered 84 kilometers during the tournament—14 kilometers more than the next highest player.

“I sacrificed myself for the team,” Nani reflected. “OK, you lose energy, you don’t play the beautiful game, but we won.”

Squad Dynamics and Performance

Beyond the tactical debate, Nani dismissed rumors of friction within the squad, describing Ronaldo as one of the funniest members of the team, though noting that his intensity can be intimidating to younger players initially.

Nani also shared insights on other key players in the squad. He praised 24-year-old left-back Nuno Mendes for his "magic moments," power, and energy, as well as Vitinha's control of the midfield.

However, he noted that Bruno Fernandes has yet to replicate his Manchester United form for the national team. Nani suggests this isn't due to Ronaldo, but rather a shift in midfield roles where Vitinha and João Neves currently occupy the space Fernandes usually dominates at the club level. His suggested solution? Play Fernandes closer to Ronaldo to maximize his impact.