Mourinho: 'If Cristiano Ronaldo is removed, Portugal will...'

Portugal disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Mexico in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, prompting José Mourinho to speak out about the superstar's influence.

Early morning on March 29 (Vietnam time), the Portuguese national team disappointed when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico in an international friendly match held at Azteca Stadium (Mexico City).

Despite fielding many key players such as Nuno Mendes, Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, João Cancelo, Vitinha, and João Neves, the "European Seleção" still could not penetrate the host's defensive line. Notably, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo did not participate in this match, and that immediately became the focal point of discussion.

Immediately after the match, coach José Mourinho (a legend of Portuguese football) voiced his opinion that the national team clearly weakened without CR7. The current Benfica manager emphasized: "Look at the reality, without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal looks no different from an ordinary team."

He also mentioned the wave of opinions from fans who had called for Ronaldo to be removed from the lineup: "People still say we shouldn't call him up. Today he didn't play, and you saw the result. No threat, no fear created for the opponent. Just a team pressured by Mexico."

According to Mourinho, Ronaldo's influence lies not only in his expertise but also in the psychological factor ahead of the World Cup: "When Ronaldo is on the field, opponents always have to be cautious. Without him, they don't need to worry at all."

This draw once again sparked debate about the irreplaceable role of Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team jersey, despite him having passed the peak of his career.