Is the Ronaldo Factor enough for Portugal?

The question facing Portugal at the Word Cup is plain: Can Cristiano Ronaldo do for his country what Diego Maradona did for Argentina at the 1986 tournament? 

Argentina went to Mexico 28 years ago with a solid team, but it was Maradona who made the South Americans special as he lifted them to the World Cup title with some electrifying performances and sensational goals. Ronaldo also sprinkles magic dust onto a Portugal team that can assemble talent from Europe’s top flight but which without him lacks that extra edge. 

The 2013 FIFA world player of the year’s stupendous performances against Sweden in the World Cup playoffs were a case in point. He got all four of Portugal’s goals over two legs, including a hat trick in the return leg in Sweden as the Portuguese qualified with a 4-2 aggregate win. 

In those games, Ronaldo produced the kind of explosive bursts of speed and close ball skills that have made him great. ‘He is a huge influence in the team and our decisive player,’ Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. 

Calling Portugal a one-man team is uncharitable, Bento said. But subtract Ronaldo from the equation and the team can look ordinary, possessing no game-changing heavyweights. 

After promising much, Manchester United winger Nani has faded in recent injury-struck seasons, while Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles are worthy but unspectacular midfield players. 

The squad also lacks a show-stopping center forward and possesses little depth. That’s a far cry from the caliber of the 1990s Golden Generation, led by 2001 world player of the year Luis Figo. But the generations have one thing in common: neither has won any silverware. 

After 11 years in the national team, Ronaldo is his country’s all-time top scorer with 49 goals, two more than previous record-holder Pauleta, who is now retired. In Brazil, he could become the first Portuguese player to score at three different World Cups.