Ronaldo draws focus, but Fernandes is Portugal’s heartbeat

Agency :
Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow looms large over Portugal at the World Cup, but away from the flash of camera phones and rolling headlines, Bruno Fernandes has taken the reins.
Fernando Santos’ team are synonymous with their leading man, a black hole for media attention and fan admiration, reducing his colleagues to a supporting cast, inadvertently or not.
However in Qatar playmaker Fernandes is emerging as the team’s true creative leader, sealing qualification for the last 16 with a game to spare.
With several changes but Ronaldo still leading the side, Portugal fell to a 2-1 defeat by South Korea on Friday but finished top of their group and face Switzerland.
Fernandes was rested, wrapped in cotton wool, and without him Portugal failed to create many clear chances.
Still, supporters swooned over veteran striker Ronaldo – save some Korea fans who instead chanted for “Messi” – even as the all-time record international goalscorer floundered up front.
Instead it is Fernandes, no longer a club team-mate of Ronaldo after his dramatic departure by mutual consent ahead of the World Cup, who has been the beating heart of the side this year.
It was Fernandes who picked up the pieces in Portugal’s press conference ahead of their opening game against Ghana, fielding questions on the Ronaldo drama.
Then on the pitch he was a quiet mastermind, providing two assists in the 3-2 win, even as Ronaldo basked in the limelight after winning a soft penalty and dispatching it to open the scoring.
The former Real Madrid forward became the first man to score in five separate World Cups, at 37 years old.
Ronaldo says he wants to keep playing until he is 40.
It’s an age where most players would have retired by, but Ronaldo chugs on, having pledged to play until 40, at least.
So that shadow stretches further, but under it, Portugal have a lot of younger, dynamic talent, itching for a chance to break through.
Rafael Leao, Andre Silva and Goncalo Ramos are all interesting, young attacking options but started on the bench against Korea, with Ronaldo failing to make an impact.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is another underrated, smooth presence but at the 2022 World Cup it is Fernandes who has taken on the role of floor manager, the man running the show at the tip of the midfield.
In Portugal’s 2-0 win over Uruguay Fernandes’ brace clinched qualification, with only the post denying him a hat-trick.
Even when Ronaldo is not involved, he still creeps in, appearing to claim a goal against Uruguay which was ultimately given to Fernandes.
The 28-year-old, like Ronaldo a former Sporting Lisbon player, is set to return to the side against Switzerland on Tuesday, and Portugal should look more like themselves again after their Korea blip.