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Portugal coach Fernando Santos is not worried about his captain and Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo's recent form. He stated that the legendary attacker has always been criticized when he has not scored.
The 37-year-old started Portugal's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday (March 24) against Turkey. While Santos' men came away with a hard-earned 3-1 victory, their captain couldn't find the scoresheet. Ronaldo got two shots on target but also missed a couple of big chances and hit the woodwork once in the game.
It was the third game in succession where the United forward failed to find the back of the net for Portugal. He didn't score in the goalless draw with Northern Ireland and the 1-2 defeat against Serbia in November last year. Those two results meant Santos' team dropped to the playoff spots to qualify for this year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
They crossed the first hurdle last night against Turkey without much help from their captain in front of goal. However, Santos believes Ronaldo actively contributed to the victory. He said after the match (as quoted by Stadium Astro):
"Ronaldo is judged on the goals he scores; it's always that way. From my perspective, he played a tremendous game, bringing the group together, working and pressing with the intensity of the game."
Santos added:
"He didn't score, but that doesn't invalidate what was an excellent performance for Ronaldo. He had several opportunities. He didn't convert them, but he opened up a lot of spaces for others, and that's something to highlight."
Ronaldo has always done well in major showpiece events in football for the national team. He is the only player in history to have scored at least one goal in nine consecutive major tournaments. He did so at four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018) and five European Championships (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020). If Portugal qualify for this year's World Cup, he could extend that record to ten.
Portugal will take on North Macedonia, who shockingly beat four-time winners Italy 0-1, on March 29 for a place in the Qatar showpiece.
Cristiano Ronaldo's goals have dried up recently for Manchester United
The superstar's struggles in front of goal for Portugal were also evident in some of his displays for Manchester United before the international break. Including a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur, he has scored just four goals in his last 11 games across competitions.
The Red Devils exited both the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in that period. They were also mauled 4-1 by Manchester City and held to disappointing draws against Watford, Southampton and Burnley in the Premier League.
If Manchester United are to secure a top-four finish in the league, they will need Ronaldo to start firing again. Ralf Rangnick's side currently sit sixth in the standings, one point behind fifth-placed Spurs and four behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
They have a few tough fixtures to get through before the end of the season, with visits to Anfield (20 April) and the Emirates (23 April) looming.
