Achi news desk-
In a historic shift, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Portugal’s game against Sweden, marking the first time in 17 years that another player has worn the No.7 shirt.
Bruma’s glorious debut
Ronaldo’s unexpected vacancy gave Bruma a chance to show what he can do, and he scored a goal just 11 minutes after Leao had been replaced.
The 29-year-old struck twice, setting up a 4-0 final against Sweden to break his four-month international scoring drought dating back to October 2018.
Without Ronaldo, Portugal proved better against Sweden, with the score being 5-2 in favor of Portugal in their first game of the year. The draw reflects not only the former’s strength and ability to fight back as they replace their old hero but also the endearing handiness he had over the latter.
Why didn’t Ronaldo play against Sweden?
The older players, including Ronaldo, were selected by RTM to be part of their 23-man list but have been rested with the others during the first game.
While on vacation, Cristiano Ronaldo spent time with his family in Saudi Arabia. It is expected, therefore, that he will return to sport next Tuesday when Portugal have a friendly match against Slovenia.
With Portugal progressing, Ronaldo’s role marks a transition for the national team, although the iconic striker is as steadfast as ever, he has made clear his loyalty to his country’s football team until the next European Championship in 2024 .
