Robbie Slater: If Cristiano Ronaldo can get his attitude right then Portugal still might go all the way

He hasn’t endeared himself to his millions of fans with his antics in Qatar, but Cristiano Ronaldo, even from the bench, can still be a big factor in Portugal’s World Cup prospects.

Cristiano Ronaldo faces a defining moment of his career: can he park his ego long enough for Portugal to win the World Cup.

It’s fair to say Ronaldo has not carried himself well in recent times. His behaviour at Manchester United storming off before the game is over, his Piers Morgan interview and now some of his carry on at the World Cup has left big questions over his attitude.

His comments about he will be happy to play whatever role if Portugal wins the World Cup is promising, but actions speak louder than words and his attitude for the rest of the tournament will be critical to Portugal’s success.

The cameras are always on him. You only had to see the national anthems in their last game when he started on the bench, every camera was pointed at him on the sidelines and not the team on the pitch.

When he headed to the sheds before the rest of the team in the post-game celebrations, that too was pounced upon by the world’s media as sulking about his role.

Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the bench during the Switzerland game at Lusail Stadium.

Ronaldo’s behaviour has the potential to upset team balance and harmony, so how he carries himself will be just as important as how he performs when he gets his chance to play.

I think it is obvious, after the way Goncalo Ramos starred with a hattrick in the demolition of Switzerland, Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos is not going to start Ronaldo and is backing his team.

The fact Ronaldo got dropped just shows he is human. At 37, he is no spring chicken. I know with Messi he has been one of the greatest footballers of his generation in the world, but nothing goes forever. But he still has a big role to play for Portugal.

It is a great first XI. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Joao Felix, Raphael Guerreiro and Ramos, this team is stacked with quality and their performance and preparation looks bang on.

No disrespect to Morocco, but Portugal have got the “easier” of the quarter-finals if you’re looking at the four matches and the big teams.

But they must give Morocco respect. They’ve topped their group, beaten Spain and only conceded one goal in the tournament. That is the best defensive record in the tournament — so Portugal may start favourites but it’s going to take some performance to penetrate the Moroccan defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude during the World Cup has been called into question. Picture: AFP

ENGLAND’S LAST CHANCE

This is the last chance for this generation of England footballers to win a World Cup together.

For Gareth Southgate and his team, if you look at their ages, this could be the last chance for many of them to win a major trophy after reaching the World Cup semi-final in Russia four years ago and losing the Euro final to Italy in 2020.

But France is a massive obstacle. They’re the current world champions, they’ve broken the defending champions curse where the last three Cup holders failed to reach the knockout stages and they’ve done it with ease.

This will be one of the game’s of the tournament.

Two teams absolutely flying and two attacks that really are quite incredible.

The French quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud is the best in the world. Mbappe, with his five goals, is well on the way to winning the golden boot.

But this is the best England lineup we have seen for some time. Their trio up front of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka has really come together. Then add Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford and they’ve got options to throw at France.

I know there is a fear that France has not peaked yet, that they’ve still got another gear or two to lift. But you could argue the same for England and if they can clear this obstacle, the Cup just might be “coming home.”

Slater: Why things could get Messi for Argentina

Lionel Messi is the sentimental favourite to go all the way in this World Cup but his quarter-final clash with Netherlands has the potential to expose Argentina’s biggest weakness — they rely too heavily on one man.

Look at the Socceroos game, if you take Messi out of the Argentina side and put him in the Australia team we win. There is no doubt about that. He was the difference.

I’m not saying Argentina haven’t got good players, they are still a very good side, but their second goal against the Socceroos came about from our own mistake.

They did not create as many opportunities as I thought they would and while they had chances late, that was when Australia was pouring forward chasing the equaliser.

Argentina do not concede much, they’ve got big game experience across the park and the good news is that Messi is in peak form.

We’ve seen him at his best during this World Cup, creating and taking opportunities and not overplaying his hand.

Robbie Slater believes Argentina's dependence on Lionel Messi is too great.

This is his last chance to win the most coveted trophy in world sport and football fans worldwide will be cheering for him if he can take Argentina all the way.

But the Netherlands are a real threat. They have been really good so far in this tournament and have flown in under the radar.

After the misery of missing qualification for the last World Cup in Russia, which is unheard of for such a proud football nation who are three times runners-up, they’ve got their house in order and built a young strong team that could easily cause a big upset here.

I’ve got a funny feeling out of all the quarter-finals, this is the one that could be the closest and might go to penalties.

Lionel Messi has been in sublime form this World Cup.

The Dutch are a quality outfit. Cody Gakpo has shown himself to be a real surprise packet while Memphis Depay is a key player for them upfront.

They are strong right across the park and this is going to be an interesting tactical battle, how will both sides set up and go about picking apart their opposition.

This game will be really close and might come down to one moment of brilliance.

Samba in soul but Brazilians lacking respect

Brazil are playing and behaving like tournament favourites, and not everyone is happy.

I’ve seen all the comments about their goal celebrations and personally I think it comes down to showing a bit of respect for your opposition.

There is no problem lapping it up for the first goal, carrying on and being happy. But to dance around after every single goal when you’re 3 and 4 nil up is just a bit over the top.

Everyone says ‘oh they’re Brazilian, that’s what they’re like’, but the tournament is not won yet. There are still three games to win to be crowned champions. That is the time for over-the-top celebrations, not now.

Brazil's post-goal dancing is polarising audiences around the world.

Neymar is the big key for Brazil and after coming in and scoring in about 82 minutes of action in the 4-1 win over Korea, you just know he is building to a big end of the tournament.

Richarlison just seems to go to another level when he plays for Brazil while Casemiro in the middle is controlling the game well.

I don’t see too much rattling this Brazilian team. With their spirit, their energy and their talent, nothing seems to affect them and while the favouritism and pressure really ramps up heading towards the semi-finals, Brazil will still be too much for Croatia.

That is no disrespect to Croatia, who have done a great job to reach the quarter-finals with an ageing side.

But the 2018 finalists have not been entirely convincing in the Group stages despite their 4-1 win over Canada, with scoreless draws with Belgium and Morocco.

They’ve shown they can defend well, but they’ll need more than just digging in for 90 minutes to get the job done against Brazil.

Originally published as Robbie Slater: If Cristiano Ronaldo can get his attitude right then Portugal still might go all the way