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Portugal have a national team called Cristiano Ronaldo, says Queiroz
Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by Goal.com

The former Manchester United assistant coach says that the entire Seleccao are in trouble when the Real Madrid star cannot perform well for the national team

Portugal have a national team called Cristiano Ronaldo, says Queiroz


Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz believes that the national side are over-dependent on star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

two goals in what was his best performance to date at Euro 2012.

 And as Portugal prepare for their quarter-final clash against Czech Republic, Queiroz has questioned their approach and reliance on the Real Madrid man.

"Portugal have a national team called Cristiano Ronaldo and a group of players who run after him," Queiroz told TVI24.

 "The approach should be different: Ronaldo being only an asset to the team.

 "A few years ago, the national team reflected Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa and Fernando Couto.

 "When they retired, it became centred on Ronaldo. This excessive importance makes it that when he plays badly, the criticism is all targeted at him."

 Queiroz, who took charge of the Iran national team in 2011, was sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation in 2010 after the team crashed out of the 2010 World Cup at the last-16 stage.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia