Two images that have toured the world.
First, the stopped one of the ball having crossed the line.
Then that in motion of a disillusioned Cristiano Ronaldo, throwing his captain's armband when leaving the pitch on his own, before the final whistle of the Serbia-Portugal match (2-2).
“Flight!” Exclaims the daily
Record
, the day after this second qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup. The central referee, Danny Makkelie, "apologized" to Fernando Santos, as the Portuguese coach told him after the meeting.
This poor judgment, made without the goal-line technology absent from the World Cup qualifying matches, deprived Portugal, certainly disappointing in Belgrade, of three precious points.
But also kept Ronaldo away from one of the last records he has yet to beat: that of the most goals with a national team.
"It's not an obsession, because I think that records come naturally"
Cristiano Ronaldo in September 2020
His name was on everyone's lips last September.
With a double including a magnificent free kick against Sweden (0-2), Ronaldo crossed the 100-goal mark with Portugal.
"I managed to achieve this record that I was looking for", proudly rejoiced "CR7".
Since then, the Juventus striker has celebrated his 36th birthday.
But he hasn't celebrated a lot of goals anymore.
In his last 6 appearances in the national team, Ronaldo has scored only one goal.
Unheard of for him since 2012-2013.
Frustrating, he who is only seven goals to match Iranian Ali Daei.
"Now, the record ... it's step by step, moderated Ronaldo in September.
It's not an obsession, because I think that records come naturally. ”
The words are noble.
The signals sent back to the field do not necessarily go in the same direction.
Ronaldo's 100th goal with Portugal against Sweden last September (0-2)
A frustrated Ronaldo is worth two
Again against Serbia, the five-time Ballon d'Or lacked clarity on the ball, as on his distant and imprecise strike, preferred to a call behind Bruno Fernandes.
Just as worrying as his free kicks in the wall or technical misses unworthy of his stature.
But it could get worse: Sometimes his teammates also seem to have Ronaldo's record in the back of their minds.
And to do everything so that "CR7" approaches it, in particular during a victory at a small trot against Azerbaijan (1-0).
In 90 minutes and despite 8 shots (3 on target), Ronaldo remained silent.
Already last November, in a friendly match against Andorra (7-0), Ronaldo had to wait for the 86th minute and his fifth shot to score his 102nd (and last, for now) goal in the selection.
"
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However, Cristiano Ronaldo's speech appears to be the way forward.
Her impatience will only strain the environment of the Seleção, she whose attacking potential has never been so rich in decades.
Liverpool winger Diogo Jota confirmed it with a brace in Serbia, with Bernardo Silva at the helm.
Even an André Silva (25), in the form of his life in Frankfurt, has to wait on the bench.
Ronaldo must still score eight goals to afford this famous record.
He could beat him in the Euro group stage this summer, where he will face Hungary, Germany and ... France.
He could get closer to it on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) on the ground in Luxembourg.
And even take a leap forward, on condition of being faithful to his metaphor pronounced before the 2010 World Cup when he was in full doubt: “Goals are like ketchup.
When they arrive, they all come at the same time. ”
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