By Matthew Cooper
Cristiano Ronaldo was not happy as Portugal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Slovenia on Tuesday.
Goals from Adam Cerin and Timi Elsnik earned Slovenia a stunning win and handed Roberto Martinez his first defeat since taking charge of Portugal last year. Ronaldo missed Portugal's previous game against Sweden, having been given time off by Martinez to go on holiday.
In his absence, Portugal beat Sweden 5-2 with his replacement Goncalo Ramos among the goalscorers. Ronaldo did return to the starting line-up against Slovenia, but failed to make much of an impact. And the 39-year-old was seen storming off down the tunnel after the game while gesturing angrily.
It comes after Portugal defender Joao Cancelo suggested Ronaldo was past his prime and that the "national team does not depend entirely on him".
Speaking to Portuguese radio station RTP, Cancelo said: "He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d'Or, but the peak of a footballer's career is between the ages of 25 and 32.
"He is an important player for us, but the national team does not depend entirely on him."
This year's Euros are widely expected to be Ronaldo's last appearance at a major tournament for Portugal, having captained them to victory back in 2016. However, Frank Leboeuf, who won both the Euros and the World Cup with France, believes Portugal will only win the tournament for a second time this year if they drop Ronaldo.
"For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer's European Championships," Leboeuf told BetVictor.
"I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't play. You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League.
"I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone. He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I'm not sure he needed even more money! It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.
"Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League? It's because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1."
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