5 Portugal attackers who suffered due to Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo made the headlines last month because the star picked up his 58th career hat-trick against Luxemborg, whom Portugal crushed with five goals during World Cup qualifiers. It was also his tenth international hat-trick, making the maestro the first player to score 10 hatricks for his country.

Back in 2016, Ronaldo guided Portugal to his first ever international trophy during the EUROs, and he won another during the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Prior to 2016, the star had a trophy drought with Portugal that lasted since 2004 when he was first called up to the squad.

The 36-year-old Seleccao star is currently a veteran for club and country. While his trophy cabinet has been filled with numerous honors and trophies from from his era with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, only two trophies have come through Portugal.

The European giants have been blessed with a strong attack, but Ronaldo's presence has notably overshadowed other attackers in the squad, most of whom have been unable to replicate their club success on the international stage.

With Ronaldo's superstar persona enveloping the squad, they've had to struggle on the sidelines of glory while playing the game around the former Los Blancos star.

So, without further ado, let's take a look at five such players who have suffered from Ronaldo's presence in the international squad:

#5 Simao | former Benfica star

Czech Republic v Portugal - Group A Euro 2008

The star enjoyed a brilliant football career, winning the Primera Liga with Benfica, as well as two continental trophies with Atletico Madrid. Although Simao provided fans with scintillating performances, especially during his 7-year stint at Benfica, his performances for the Portugal national team were not as prominent.

Simao notably enjoyed a good number of appearances for Portugal, scoring 22 goals in 85 games, but by the time he started to enter his prime, the Seleccao were already using Ronaldo as the star player. He eventually partook in just two World Cups for Portugal, retiring from international duty at 31.

#4 Quaresma | former Portugal legend

Uruguay v Portugal: Round of 16 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Popular for his brilliant displays of skill and talent down either flank, the journeyman winger has notably played in Portugal, Italy, England and currently Turkey.

While he progressed through top European clubs and enjoyed stints with Sporting, Inter and Besiktas, the star struggled to achieve similar experiences with the Portugal national team.

Often chosen in provisional squads for World Cup qualifying campaigns, Ricardo Quaresma found it difficult to get into the main World Cup squad. He finally ended his fifteen-year career with just one World Cup selection.

Although he was in his latter years, the star helped Portugal progress into the last 16 during the 2018 World Cup. He never really got going with his national side through most of his career, and things might have been better for the former Besiktas man if Ronaldo wasn't in the squad.

#3 Nani | Orlando City star

Hungary v Portugal - Group F: UEFA Euro 2016

After a short spell with Sporting, Nani moved to Manchester United where he spent eight seasons. His performances with United, along with his displays during U-21 tournaments for Portugal, quickly pushed him up the ladder to Portugal's main squad. The star made 112 appearances for the Seleccao, scoring 24 goals.

While he enjoyed over 100 appearances for his country, Nani made few starts in major tournaments, often coming on as a substitute. The 2014 World Cup saw the star get more starts, but that would be his last World Cup for Portugal.

Although he wasn't a clinical finisher like his other attacking compatriots, Nani's penchant for accurate crosses and key passes should have given him more opportunities to shine within the squad. He hasn't played for Portugal since 2017.

#2 Silvestre Valera | former Portugal star

After starting his career with Sporting and going on loan often, the star joined Porto where he found his footing and enjoyed a near-decade long stint. With his prime performances coming to the limelight with Porto in 2010, Silvestre Valera was called up to the Portugal national team.

However, it would end up being a short, unmemorable career for the former West Brom star.

Much of his international career saw the star play from the bench, starting with his first appearance against China when he came on in the second half. While he was picked for EURO 2012, he only managed substitute appearances, even though he scored a late winner for Portugal against Denmark.

He would manage another late-minute goal in the 2014 World Cup, but the star rarely found any more opportunities after that.

#1 Helder Postiga | Porto legend

Portugal v Luxembourg - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

Helder Postiga's appearances for Porto made the striker a star in his home country as he spent six seasons playing for the Primera Liga outfit. Born and bred at the club, he notably won eight trophies, having played over 150 appearances for the side and scoring 48 goals.

His clinical nature saw the star receive his call-up to the national side early, but although he spent 11 years with the Seleccao, the star struggled to maintain consistent appearances.

While Postiga performed well during EURO 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, he was largely a bench player, starting with the EURO 2008 tournament. Although he went ahead to help his team as a super-sub, he remained absent from the national team and missed out on the 2010 World Cup.

He rejoined the side for the 2014 World Cup after scoring six goals during the qualification rounds, but that was to be his last tournament for Portugal.

About the author

Nnanna is currently an analyst on Sportskeeda. He started writing about football as a hobby many years ago, but it's recently become a more important aspect of his life.

He loves sports, football particularly, and is optimistic about the growth of local leagues in Africa.

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Edited by Rohit Mishra