Face it: Cristiano Ronaldo has been holding Portugal back for years | On The Continent

Cristiano Ronaldo managed to outlast every Portugal manager until Jorge Jesus came along. His dramatic exit, followed by a mind-blowing statement, makes it look like Ronaldo has played straight into Jesus’ hands. Has it cost him any chance of a fond farewell like his lifelong rival, Lionel Messi? And why are Portugal actually better for his exit?

Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to dig through the rubble of a fiery few days in the Portugal camp. Plus, will Kylian Mbappé ever truly fit the mould of a Real Madrid superstar? And what do new deals for both Harry Kane and Raphinha tell us about their importance – on and off the pitch – at Bayern Munich and Barcelona?

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Video Chapters:

0:00 - Reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo's statement
5:21 - How good have Portugal been without Ronaldo?
08:58 - How do Portugal fans feel about this?
11:08 - What if Ronaldo had retired in 2018
13:08 - When will Ronaldo have his farewell game?
15:34 - What Ronaldo's statement should have said
17:25 - Why is Kylian Mbappe under fire?
23:00 - Is Mbappe ever going to be a cultural fit at Real Madrid?
27:42 - Wider issues at Real Madrid
31:26 - Parallels with Bale and Benzema
34:12 - Two major contract extensions at Bayern & Barcelona
34:12 - Why Kane and Raphina are the ultimate fit
37:05 - Can Bayern & Barca challenge PSG?
45:00 - Kane & Raphina's last contracts?
46:49 - Last episode's Game of the Week picks

About the On The Continent Podcast:

Dotun Adebayo and Andy Brassell are joined by the best European football experts to dissect the headlines from across the continent and take you inside the European game. New shows every Thursday and Friday.

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Face it: Cristiano Ronaldo has been holding Portugal back for years
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