It was telling that when former Manchester United team-mate John O'Shea, now assistant coach for Republic of Eire, was requested on Monday how you can cease Ronaldo on the Aviva Stadium, he spoke of the necessity to clear crosses and defend the field.
“He does not run a lot, he is extra of a ahead when strikers that solely play within the field are nearly extinct proper now,” mentioned Pereira.
“He is the type of participant that does not match with the patterns that you simply see particularly in prime sides at this time. He would not play at PSG or Bayern Munich, he would not have the ability to.
“A few of these [younger] gamers who've grown used to enjoying for groups like PSG or Chelsea or Barcelona or Actual Madrid have been used to a different rhythm, one other manner of connecting with their forwards can really feel in some way restricted by it as a result of they can't do the identical issues that they do at their golf equipment.”
For some, Portugal's Euro 2024 exit on penalties by the hands of France, which got here with Goncalo Ramos and the late Diogo Jota left on the bench, felt a pure end-point but there have been 13 worldwide targets since.
Ramos' case to exchange his legendary captain within the nationwide aspect will not be helped by his minutes at Paris St-Germain.
On the subject of whether or not the present iteration of Ronaldo is a assist or hindrance, Pereira concludes “there are two sides to each story” – however there stays little question over who's the central character.
With a sixth World Cup on the horizon, fairly how lengthy this closing chapter will final stays unclear.
