Cristiano Ronaldo given World Cup lifeline after ‘idea of the century’ from manager he wanted at Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of starting for Portugal at this summer’s World Cup owe a lot to Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.
The 41-year-old is set to appear at his sixth finals in North America this summer.
Alongside Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is one of six players to play at five separate editions of the World Cup.
However, no player has ever played at six different tournaments, a feat Ronaldo and Messi could both achieve this year.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese superstar is the only player in World Cup history to score at five separate finals.
Ronaldo is set to lead the line for Roberto Martinez’s side once again this month ahead of PSG’s Goncalo Ramos.
His fellow centre-forward has seen his opportunities limited with the French giants since Ousmane Dembele was converted into a No.9.
Enrique’s decision to play the Frenchman as a striker was previously labelled the ‘idea of the century’ by a rival manager.
European football journalist Andy Brassell has explained the impact the move has had on Ronaldo’s World Cup prospects.
He told talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs: “I think one of the problems is the fact that Goncalo Ramos has just been riding the bench for PSG for the last two years.
“So there’s not really an obvious alternative at centre forward.”
Ramos has made just 33 starts across all competitions across the last two seasons.
In contrast, Dembele has plundered 55 goals in 93 appearances across the same period.
Those strikes include 21 in Ligue 1 alone during the 2024/25 season to clinch the golden boot.
‘Idea of the century’
Enrique’s tactical tweak was hailed by Montpellier boss Jean-Louis Gasset in April last year, as he told reporters: “In Europe, teams can be worried because he’s a machine.
“The coach is having great conversations. Incredible, Dembele at number nine is the idea of the century, and it all comes down to the coach.
“Paris seems unbeatable today; they’re above everyone else.”
As well as picking up a Ligue 1 golden boot, Dembele also won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best award last year.
Ronaldo could have been coached by Enrique himself had a request been granted during his second spell at Manchester United.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told the club to hire Enrique as manager in 2021 after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking.
However, the Red Devils instead appointed Erik ten Hag as their new boss.
Ronaldo’s World Cup hopes
Ronaldo heads into this summer’s World Cup off the back of another prolific season in Saudi Arabia.
He ended the campaign with 30 goals in 37 appearances for Al Nassr as well as winning the Saudi Pro League for the first time.
The veteran forward is already Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker with 143 goals in 227 caps for his country. He also has the most international goals ever scored by any men’s player.
Martinez will see his side begin their group stage campaign against DR Congo on June 17.
Matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia will follow for Portugal in group K on June 23 and June 27, respectively.
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