Portugal has enjoyed some success on the international stage in recent years. But they have yet to go all the way. Why can’t Portugal deliver when it counts? Here are 3 reasons why Portugal will never win a FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, or any major tournament:
1. They Have No Forwards
Hugo Almeida. Really? Danny. Really? Helder Postiga. Reeeeaaaaally?
The fact is Portugal has enjoyed some success in the past decade. It all began so brightly with the Golden Generation – Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto. This star-studded team was rampant and stomped on teams such as England, Holland, and Spain. But when it came down to the moment of truth… Well, read on.
Recent achievements:
UEFA Euro 2004 – Finalists. In other words, second place! Behind Greece. Score 1-0. Whoever they had up front must have been so terrible that I’m finding it difficult to remember their names. Nuno Gomes, Pauleta? Ouch! How sad for the home supporters that Portugal couldn’t score when it mattered most. Heart-breaking.
World Cup 2006 – Fourth place. They went out to France. Score 1-0. Zidane scores on a penalty kick. Ironically, the third place match was to be Pauleta’s last match for Portugal, but he was so awful during the tournament that he was relegated to the bench! Their lack of talent up front once again came to haunt them at a crucial moment. Portugal was eventually awarded “Most Entertaining Team,” which is a small consolation for a team that could’ve potentially done it all.
Euro 2008 – Quarterfinals. Portugal were seen as major contenders due to their recent success, but their poor qualification quickly brought them back down to earth. They eventually lost to Germany with an awful front line consisting of Helder Postiga?!?
World Cup 2010 – Out in Round of 16. Spain this time. Score 1-0. The scorer David Villa. Portugal were lucky to even participate in this World Cup. They “wormed their way in” through a controversial play-off system which paired Portugal against a very weak Bosnia and Herzegovina side. This time, Portugal was so weak up front that they had to “invent” a forward. I’m not making this up! They nationalized an ageing Brazilian, Liedson, in an effort to resolve their scoring issues. Needless to say, it did not work.
If you think I’m being overly harsh on this team, maybe you’re right. The current Portugal side continues to play some exciting, beautiful football. When it works, it can have devastating results. Just ask North Korea in the last World Cup (7-0). Unfortunately, you just can’t win games by having all the possession and knocking the ball around well. They need the killer instinct up front. What would Portugal give to have the likes of a David Villa or Fernando Torres up front…
At the moment, Portugal’s best forwards are two midfielders – Ronaldo and Nani! Why can’t Portugal develop strikers? The last Portuguese ace was Paulo Futre. Before that, Eusebio! Can’t they see their own weaknesses?
Every team needs at least one “world-class” striker that can deliver at the highest level. Portugal has none.
2. They’re Not Strong Enough
Portugal’s achiles’ heel is their lack of size and strength. Put together an imaginary team full of Nanis and you have the Portugal national team.
In recent tournaments, Portugal has done quite well against Spain and Brazil. Portugal matches up well against teams that play a similar style of beautiful, passing football.
Then they meet Germany.
Thirty minutes into the game, they’re 2-0 down. Athletically, Portugal just can’t keep up with the modern big footballer. They get knocked about the field, lose their short temper (no pun intended), and eventually get scored on set-pieces through headers of sheer bavarian power.
German players are taller, stronger, and better athletes overall. Cristiano Ronaldo is a rare case – he’s over 6ft tall. That’s like 6ft 8in in US conversion rates.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo is Not Eusebio
Not by a long shot.
Eusebio was the kind of player that comes once in a century. He single handedly carried Portugal on his back in the World Cup in 1966. This Benfica legend is one of the greatest players ever. Throughout the 60’s, Eusebio was second only to Pele. The 60’s were a time of incredible soccer stars and the “Black Panther” was up there with the best.
Speaking of Pele… A Eusebio-inspired Portugal side defeated Brazil in ’66 through two goals from the man himself. The quarterfinal match with North Korea was one for the history books. Portugal fell 3-0 down when Eusebio took over and put on a dazzling display of power and courage. He scored a record four goals and Portugal went on to beat North Korea 5-3. He ended the tournament with 9 goals and won the Golden Boot Award.
On top of his achievements in the international stage, Eusebio was the Portuguese league’s top scorer seven times between 1964 and 1973 while helping Benfica win 11 league trophies, 5 Portuguese cups, 1 European Cup, and 3 European Cup finals. That’s a huge accomplishment – at that time, Benfica were considered one of the top teams in Europe.
What sets Eusebio apart however, is his compassion and sportsmanship. When England knocked out Portugal at Wembley in ’66, a tearful Eusebio was famously pictured congratulating Bobby Charlton with an embrace. His kindness toward his friends on the pitch resurfaced in 1968 (again at Wembley) when Benfica met Manchester United in the European Cup. United went on to beat Benfica and Alex Stepney, Utd’s goalkeeper, saved Eusebio’s penalty. Eusebio went over to Stepney and shook his hand in an act of friendship and good sportsmanship.
Enter Cristiano Ronaldo.
The cockiness. The arrogance. He’s been known to lash out at opposing players. He’s directed obscene gestures toward Benfica fans. He’s been caught spitting toward television cameras after suffering a humiliating defeat. His behavior is everything that is wrong with modern football. And he has yet to deliver in the international stage!
A modern-day Eusebio? Not now. Maybe never. I wish Ronaldo would finally grow up and free himself of his own ego. Only then would fans around the world see the true talent that he is.
At the moment, he doesn’t come anywhere near the only true legend in the hearts of Portuguese fans.
Eusebio “The Black Panther”
Until Portugal can develop some world-class forwards, adopt stronger and more physical players, and have Cristiano Ronaldo finally deliver at the international level, the Portuguese national team will never win a FIFA World Cup, EURO 2012, or any other major tournament.