Mourinho warns: Portugal is ordinary without Ronaldo on the field.

José Mourinho has no doubts: without Cristiano Ronaldo, the national team of Portugal looks like an ordinary team, lacking the attributes that made it a powerhouse in world football. The statement from the renowned coach comes after the goalless draw between Portugal and the World Cup hosts, Mexico, in a match where Roberto Martínez’s team dominated possession (67%) but failed to convert it into goals.

The absence of the national team’s all-time top scorer, Ronaldo, who was rested due to a minor injury, became evident. Mourinho did not hesitate to criticize those who argue that Portugal is a better team without the 41-year-old star, emphasizing the psychological impact Ronaldo’s presence has on opponents. “Take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the equation and Portugal looks like any ordinary team,” Mourinho shot back. “People insist on saying not to call him up. Well, he didn’t play today and you saw the result: no threat, no fear of the opponent. Just a team under pressure from Mexico.”

In addition to Mourinho, former French striker Thierry Henry also did not hold back in criticizing the performance of the Portuguese attack. Without Ronaldo, Martínez’s team failed to capitalize on the opportunities created, particularly by Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United captain. “The forwards need to step up. Bruno created five chances, including two clear ones, but Portugal couldn’t finish any,” lamented Henry. “When you have a midfielder like him consistently creating opportunities, the task for the forwards is simple — put the ball in the net. Instead, they’re complicating things much more than they should.”

The analysis by Mourinho and Henry raises questions about Portugal’s dependence on Ronaldo and the future of the national team on the international stage. With the next phase of competitions approaching, will the national team be able to find a way to stand out without their biggest star? Time and the upcoming matches will reveal whether Portugal can overcome this new reality or if the absence of their icon will continue to be a heavy burden.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.