Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been suspended from Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia due to a disciplinary issue. The Saudi Arabian team has gone 18 matches without a win, which makes this suspension more significant as Portugal’s 2-1 win over Ireland last month was Ronaldo’s 111th for his country.
The Saudi Arabian team has a notorious reputation for its recent drought with not scoring goals, and the ban on Ronaldo has caused an uproar in the footballing community. Many believed that the Portuguese striker, who plays for Manchester United, would be the hero who would finally break the deadlock for the Saudi Arabian team.
However, the circumstances surrounding the suspension of Ronaldo are intriguing. The Portuguese Football Federation initially announced that Ronaldo was suspended after he left the bench during Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland last month. However, further reports have suggested that the punishment is related to Portugal’s refusal to move their qualifier from Turki Al-Sheikh’s stadium.
Turki Al-Sheikh is a high-ranking Saudi official who owns the professional football club Almeria in Spain, and who has close ties with the Portuguese football association. Ronaldo’s offence seems to be that he didn’t participate in the match due to the dispute between the Portuguese Football Federation and Sheikh’s stadium.
The Saudi Arabian team has not won a match since 2019, which means it has gone more than two years without a victory. The goalless streak is seemingly affecting the team’s morale and confidence, and the arrival of a world-class striker like Ronaldo could have been the spark to ignite the team to victory.
The decision to suspend Ronaldo is not only hurting the Saudi Arabian team’s chances of scoring a goal in the upcoming match, but it’s also detrimental to their organization’s reputation. In many ways, Ronaldo is a symbol of hope to many fans, and his absence in the upcoming match will be deflating news to the Saudi Arabian fans.
Ronaldo’s absence is not only significant on the sporting battlefield but has also garnered attention from political leaders. The suspension has been condemned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who believes that Portugal’s decision to leave Turki Al-Sheikh’s stadium contributed to Ronaldo’s ban.
The controversy surrounding the suspension of Ronaldo shows how football is more than just a game. Football can often be an instrument to influence political relations and is a medium for people to express opinions about social issues. It is a way for players like Ronaldo to give hope and motivation to fans, especially those who reside in regions facing significant political turmoil.
The suspension of Ronaldo should serve as a reminder to sports organizers worldwide that sports can often transcend beyond themselves. Sports organizations must aim to represent the best of sportsmanship and not let politics and personal grievances overshadow the game’s essence.
In conclusion, Ronaldo’s ban has left a significant impact on the sports world and the Saudi Arabian team’s chances of ending their goal drought. While it is unfortunate that he will not be able to join his teammates on the field, this suspension also shows the challenges that sports face as it tries to balance between the essence of the game and the other agendas of various stakeholders.
While the suspension of Ronaldo is unlikely to be appealed, the Portuguese Football Federation would do well to ensure they make amends with Turki Al-Sheikh’s stadium to prevent similar disputes in the future. As for the Saudi Arabian team, they must find other heroes to navigate their way out of their goal woes, and the suspension of Ronaldo serves as a highlight of the work that lies ahead for them.