Cristiano Ronaldo is coming under increased pressure regarding his role in the Portuguese national team.
Approaching what will surely be his final World Cup at the age of 37, the legendary forward has been the subject of criticism from both the supporters and media of his native country.
Ahead of the Selecao's UEFA Nations League clash with Spain earlier this week, Portuguese newspaper A Bola dedicated their back page to opining that Ronaldo should be dropped.
Ronaldo facing criticism in Portugal
Their cutting headline of “Less Ronaldo, more Portugal," was also accompanied by a fan poll that saw 57% of voters opine that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner shouldn't start against La Rojas.
In the end, Fernando Santos did instead stay true to his star man, but it wasn't exactly a decision that fixed the matter with Ronaldo enduring something of a difficult night at the office.
While the Manchester United star was by no means terrible at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, it was hardly a display of the likes you'd expect from such a consistent starter like him.
And with the matter being compounded by Spain running away 1-0 victors to nab Portugal's spot in the Nations League finals, even the result wasn't exactly an endorsement for Ronaldo starting.
Cristiano Ronaldo GMS shop
Is Ronaldo being treated harshly?
All in all, it leads to a delicate situation where there is genuine debate as to whether or not Ronaldo should be playing such a key role for the Selecao amidst criticism bubbling away online.
But for each supporter declaring that Ronaldo should watch on from the bench a la his current predicament under Erik ten Hag, there is a diehard fan who believes such a course of action would be absolutely blasphemous.
We are, after all, talking about the highest international goalscorer in men's football history who captained Portugal to their first ever piece of major silverware at Euro 2016.
Football Soccer - Portugal v France - EURO 2016 - Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 10/7/16
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2016
REUTERS/Michael Dalder
Livepic
Ronaldo's sister fires back on Instagram
And right on cue, none other than Ronaldo's very own sister - Katia Aveiro - has channeled that mentality by firing back at those who have questioned her sibling's role for the national team.
As corroborated the Mirror and the Daily Mail, Ronaldo's oft-outspoken relation took aim at the situation in Portugal on her Instagram story by quoting a post she found on social media: "It is necessary to give a hand to those who have always given theirs to Portugal.
"But the Portuguese are sick, petty, soulless, stupid, ungrateful and forever ungrateful. This guy who's sitting, he's on his knees... There's no one to give him a hand.
"It is cruel. And it was already so much, but so much that he gave and gives. The one sitting is called Cristiano Ronaldo and he is just the best player in the world."
She then added an addendum saying: "He has his family and those who love him by his side. They will always be by his side, no matter what.
"But the current times don't surprise me at all. The Portuguese spit on the plate they eat [from], it has always been that way. That's why when someone appears from the ashes and changes mentalities, it bothers... With you always, my king. Calm down."
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - Group B - Portugal v Spain - Estadio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal - September 27, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Miguel Vidal
Who's right and who's wrong?
Well if that isn't a cutting review of Portugal's fans, then we don't know what is, because the reported translation evidently shows that Aveiro was incensed by much of the rhetoric.
And while, in fairness, the thought of Ronaldo not starting for Portugal might feel like lunacy once you zoom out and recall his achievements, really there's a broader question at play here.
Given Ronaldo's age and style of play, people aren't wondering whether or not he's a good player anymore, but rather whether his presence in the starting XI helps the team to function to the best of its ability.
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - Group B - Portugal v Spain - Estadio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal - September 27, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
The theory being that starting, say, Joao Felix above Ronaldo might not mean you have the best possible 11 players on the pitch, but might well mean that you have the best possible team unit.
We're not necessarily saying that's the case ourselves; rather we're highlighting that the issue is a lot more complex than 'blind hyperbole launched at a disrespected legend' - sorry, Katia.
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