5 min readJun 28, 2026 08:45 AM IST Age has defeated Cristiano Ronaldo. It offered another cold reminder. Several taps on his shoulders, several memos. If he still doesn’t feel it, the caprices of time and the reconciliation with his faded prowess, another golden generation of Portugal will wither with their unfulfilled renown. Ronaldo is not only the problem for Portugal, but he is central to it. The worst moment came in stoppage time before half-time. Pedro Neto blitzed down the right, all alone, and was about to cross from the edge of the box. He found no one. Not Ronaldo, not his shadow, not even a shadow of his shadow. He searched. Ronaldo was midway from the centre circle. Neto waited like Vladimir for Godot. By the time Ronaldo arrived, the Colombian had crowded him and the ball was stolen off Neto’s feet. Ronaldo gritted his teeth in anguish. He was not where he had to be. And that would hurt him more than anything else. ALSO CHECK | Round of 32 Schedule, World …