By the time he gets in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal may be torn between being in top form and simply not being sharp enough to contribute much to what is likely to be his final World Cup.
At Manchester United this season, Ronaldo has made just one start in seven Premier League games and has scored just one goal overall for club or country. Oh, and that was a penalty kick in a Europa League game versus Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova.
Ronaldo – one of world soccer’s greatest ever goal-scorers – didn’t even make it off the substitutes’ bench in the 6-3 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, a somewhat bewildering situation given how desperately the game was going for United at Etihad Stadium.
Expect to see Ronaldo get his weekly run-out for the English club in the Europa League on Thursday, this time at Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus as United continues its trek around some of the continent’s more unheralded soccer destinations.
It’s doing little for Ronaldo’s reputation or brand – and won’t be making Portugal coach Fernando Santos feel too great, either.
What kind of state is the 37-year-old Ronaldo set to be in when he links up with Portugal in mid-November ahead of the World Cup?
Fired up for the World Cup? Sure.
Fresher than many of his peers, especially those players in the thick of a packed European club schedule over the next six weeks? Almost certainly.
Yet, from the limited game time Ronaldo has gotten so far this season, there’s a growing feeling he will not be in the sort of rhythm Portugal needs him to be for its matches against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
Ronaldo was rusty in front of goal for Portugal in its big Nations League match against Spain last week, squandering three decent chances in a 1-0 loss and not displaying the kind of clinical finishing expected of such an expert in front of goal.
Even in his rare opportunities for United this season, he has snatched at chances, seemingly anxious to make the most of his limited time on the field.
Also, how will Ronaldo’s match fitness hold up if he’s just not getting the minutes at United?
Ronaldo wore a look of sheer frustration as he sat in United’s dugout while City’s goals were flying in. United manager Erik ten Hag said he was protecting Ronaldo’s reputation by not bringing the striker on.
It might be too late for that.
It’s almost impossible to imagine Ronaldo getting dropped by Portugal at the World Cup.
At the same time, it’s almost impossible to imagine Ronaldo being the fearsome striker of old in Qatar, either.
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