Can You Imagine World Cup 2010 Without Cristiano Ronaldo?
You might not have to, because after Portugal could only draw 1-1 away to Denmark, they’re fourth in UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group 1 with just three games to go.
Based on the above video highlights (set to incongruously chilled out music) Portugal had plenty of chances to take the lead, but – same old story – just didn’t have anyone capable of finishing. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nicklas “underrated?” Bendtner showed how it was done, taking the ball down o his chest and smashing it into the roof of the net not long before halftime.
Carlos Queiroz (still somehow employed as Portugal’s head coach) brought on his secret weapon at halftime: Brazilian born striker Liédson, who is a Portuguese citizen through residency, and – after banging in over 100 goals for Sporting CP since joining in 2003 – exactly what Portugal was missing.
He showed that poacher’s instinct in the 85th by nodding home an equalizer. On his debut no less. So Portugal may have found the man they were looking for up front. But with just three games to go (vs Hungary home and away, and then Malta at home) is it too late to get Portugal – and C-Ron – to World Cup 2010?
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 46 comments.
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By Nic | September 7th, 2009 at 5:08 am 
No Toni,
Both Daniel Fernandes and Danny both have portuguese families and are therefore both portuguese. And Yannick Djaló was born in Guinea Bissau and moved to portugal as a child, grew up there, played for sportings youth teams, made portuguese citizen as a small child.
I was born in Canada, but both my parents are portuguese, and I was made a citizen of portugal when I was 11. I consider myself as much portuguese as I do a canadian.
ANYWAYS. I have already come to terms with the fact that we might not make it. There is no way in hell I will cheer for Brazil ( because screw them and their multitude of wins). My dutch friend dared me to cheer for the Netherlands…we’ll have to see what happens.
By Nic | September 7th, 2009 at 5:16 am sorry to be the ass….but Nani also moved to Portugal as a child. There are tons of portuguese players who moved from former colonies as children and lived and grew up as if they were portuguese. I know the concept is foreign in America, and I’m not a fan of all the Brazilians on the national team, but Danny, Nani, Djalo are portuguese through and through.
By Mat | September 7th, 2009 at 6:54 am 1:21 .. such an obvious handball by Denmark def.. wow!!
Posted from 
United States
By Chris Breese | September 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am Well done Denmark who were truly heroic in getting that draw. To be honest, a World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t be so bad, he’s talented, but he’s also supremely annoying and doesn’t so quite so well for the national team in any case.
A world Cup without Messi would be much, much worse.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Tony | September 7th, 2009 at 11:52 am What about Bosingwa?
And yes Nic, i guess you’re right, i understand that if someone moves to a country early in their lives they can play.
By cibele | September 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm I can live without it. It’s not like Cristiano Ronaldo made a big difference in W. Cups. I don’t see the big deal. Actually, I hope they don’t qualify 
Posted from 
Brazil
By Miguel | September 7th, 2009 at 5:07 pm The fact of the matter is the Portuguese National Team is fun to watch. You hate us or you love us. There rarely is a middle ground. We won the “FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team” at the 2006 Worldcup!!! That has to say something.
You will rarely see a 0-0 result in a world-cup match with Portugal (except for these freaking qualifiers). The days following our matches you will find heated discussion on “that diving prick Ronaldo” or “that cunt ref that didn’t call the obvious penalty” or “that horrific tackle they gave Ronaldo to try and finish him off in the first couple of minutes”, there is always an angle for discussion.
Portugal doesn’t play to draw.
WE GAVE YOU 36 SHOTS AT THE GOAL IN THE LAST GAME! That is 36 reasons for some to cheer and others to burst out in frustration (35 actually as we scored on 1 occasion). How many teams have you shift in your seat anticipating joy or frustration (whatever tingles your jingles)? Come’on now be honest about it!
When you look at the draw for a World or Euro Cup and try to make up your mind which games you will watch would you get excited with a France-Denmark or would you prefer a France-Portugal (mind you I didn’t choose France at random)?
Posted from 
Portugal
By Miguel | September 7th, 2009 at 5:09 pm … “How many teams have you shift in your seat anticipating joy or frustration (whatever tingles your jingles) THAT MANY TIMES?…
Posted from Portugal
By Miguel | September 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm @Tony:
Bosingwa also came to Portugal as a young kid and wasn’t “recruited” to play in the National team as Liedson, Deco or Pepe were. He already played in the U-21.
Posted from Portugal
By Fernando | September 7th, 2009 at 6:06 pm I can imagine a World Cup without CR7, without Leo Messi and without Maradona patrolling the sidelines, I think its a good thing, a World Cup without Divas and prima-donnas. The Spanish La Liga is probably paying both Argentina and Portugal money not to go to the World Cup so that the golden boys don’t get hurt.
BTW, This is a much better article by the way… http://www.lacelesteblog.com/?p=279
Posted from United States
By Kelly | September 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pm I dont even like Portugal or Ronaldo, but I want them to qualify for the WC, same as Argentina. What kind of WC would it be without teams of that quality and history?
btw that was some goal by Bendtner there, brilliant.
Posted from United States
By Jose | September 7th, 2009 at 11:47 pm Miguel: Yeah, but Spain already does all that and does it better.
By Miguel | September 8th, 2009 at 5:48 am Jose: Yes they do! And I love it! Go Spain! But… wouldn’t it be great to have the WC with teams that do all that? Or do you want only Spain doing it and make the WC a walk in the park? Ok not exactly because these days you also have Brazil, Holland and England coming to the pitch guns blazing but the more the merrier… no?
Posted from Portugal
By Miguel | September 8th, 2009 at 5:54 am Fernando: And you probably would prefer to have “La donna é mobile” song by Britney Spears, Pink and Madonna instead of Luciano Pavaroti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. Get real. The best performers should have the best stage and the WC is it.
Posted from Portugal
By Fernando | September 8th, 2009 at 6:42 am Miguel: they’re not going… Messi & CR7 will play the “Portugal vs Argentina” match on PlayStation 3… by the way off topic, check out this great article… maybe this guy should go to the World Cup instead of Leo Messi: http://www.lacelesteblog.com/?p=724#more-724
Posted from United States
By MoMONEY | September 8th, 2009 at 12:22 pm I dont know how Portugal won most entertaining team award. To me they have talented players but no cohesion. They play physical more than anything. And about them being high scoring? In that World Cup I remember the pathetic excuse for a game against Holland (record for cards and I do kinda blame Portugal as I know Holland plays good football), a boring draw against England, then a boring game against France… Most entertaining? I think not…
By OhYes | September 8th, 2009 at 8:08 pm I’m still looking for video evidence of Denmark defending (even half-assed defending will do). If anyone can find some, please call me there’s a $500 reward.
By yasuhito | September 9th, 2009 at 3:57 am the worldcup must had been without c.ronaldo
Can You Imagine World Cup 2010 Without yasuhito endo tiger stricker?
By yasuhito | September 9th, 2009 at 4:00 am this is the best news that listen it
By Andy Jee | September 10th, 2009 at 1:01 am Everything could happen in the football filed .
After Figo and Costa , Ronaldo has responsbility to lead his team , but football is not one person’s game .
so let us cross fingers for Portugal !!!
Posted from 
Australia
By Weston | September 10th, 2009 at 2:25 pm a world cup without ibra or ronaldo would be spectacular! denmark and hungary deserve this one.
By Miguel | September 10th, 2009 at 4:23 pm @Weston:
You must be out of your mind. I’m 100% sure you haven’t seen a single game by Hungary, basing your comment on a quick look at the group standing: “…and hungary deserve this one.”
Unless of course you are Hungarian…
If it wasn’t for Sweden winning the last to games on luck (lucky rebound to win against Hungary and own-goal to win against Malta) I’d even accept “…and sweden deserve this one.”.
I’d love a world cup with Messi, Ibra, Berbatov, Henry, Ribery and Ronaldo. I love soccer. But they all stand dangerously close to the abyss. I don’t know what your favorite sport is. Perhaps lumberjack contests?
Posted from Portugal
By Shaabi | September 11th, 2009 at 11:56 pm Don’t worry The real one will be there,the Brazilian ronaldo.The fat monstor but i love him.
By Chat | September 13th, 2009 at 4:24 am thank you
By Fatima | September 14th, 2009 at 11:56 am I really hope Portugal makes it, we have the best world player CR7. We deserve to be in WC. i don’t care about what people say about us i just think you guys are jealous of the Portuguese team let’s face it CR7 is the star of football.
Posted from 
Canada
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