Portugal's dismal and lacklustre performance in their 4-0 humiliation by Germany during ther first round of matches in the 2014 World Cup on Monday was a painful reminder that despite having the world's best player at your disposal, success is not guaranteed.
Their ageing, bad-tempered team endured a nightmare afternoon in the wilting heat of Salvador, suggesting that coach Paulo Bento may have miscalculated in staying faithful to the players who reached the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
Poor finishing, dreadful defending and a generally unsporting attitude, culminating with central defender Pepe's infantile sending-off for a headbutt, combined to make it an all-round disaster for Bento's side in their Group G opener. Pepe should not have reacted as the referee did not see anything wrong with his hands off tactics on Mueller.
Ronaldo was dragged into the abyss with the rest of his team mates and, apart from a bright opening 10 minutes, never looked as he would have a chance to pull off his shirt and show off his rippling muscles with one of his defiant goal celebrations.
Nothing went right for the 29-year-old World Player of the Year whose performance reached a low point when he contrived to drill a 30-metre free kick into a one-man Germany wall.
Even his hair, usually immaculately groomed, fell out of place in the dripping tropical humidity.
Their ageing, bad-tempered team endured a nightmare afternoon in the wilting heat of Salvador, suggesting that coach Paulo Bento may have miscalculated in staying faithful to the players who reached the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
Ronaldo was dragged into the abyss with the rest of his team mates and, apart from a bright opening 10 minutes, never looked as he would have a chance to pull off his shirt and show off his rippling muscles with one of his defiant goal celebrations.
Even his hair, usually immaculately groomed, fell out of place in the dripping tropical humidity.
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