It was patently clear three-and-a-half years ago, at the Qatar World Cup, that Cristiano Ronaldo was a faded force.Having opted to burn his bridges at Manchester United, infamously criticising Erik ten Hag, the Glazers and even staff at Old Trafford, the forward felt his swagger would lead to more success.Ronaldo was, as ever, Portugal's main man at that tournament. Though a decline was visible during his second stint at United, he was still entrusted with the job of leading the line at the biggest tournament of them all.Yet his performances that year disappointed. Just one goal, achieved from the penalty spot against Ghana, was added to his huge collection.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayRonaldo was given the first three group games. Fernando Santos, manager at the time, felt he would come good. That the Ronaldo of old would rear his head and win them games, like he'd done at his previous four World Cup outings. That arguably the game's greatest would conjure more moments of glittering genius.But then came the knockout stages. And Santos, fully aware that his talisman was now a pale imposter, decided to roll the dice.Portugal benched Ronaldo for their round of 16 clash with Switzerland, with the decision immediately paying off.His replacement, Goncalo Ramos, netted a brilliant hat-trick in an emphatic 6-1 victory that saw them catapulted into the last eight of the tournament.Against Morocco, Santos then decided to stick to his guns.All the focus was on Ronaldo. With each goal Portugal scored in his absence, the cameras would zoom in to witness their captain's reaction. It became a side-show and an unwanted distraction, especially with fierce rival Lionel Messi enchanting for Argentina.Because Santos' system had worked so well against the Swiss, he decided to keep faith with Ramos.Yet with Morocco plucky opponents, Ronaldo was drafted on in the 51st minute to change the game. He didn't, of course, with their opponents causing a major upset with a 1-0 victory in the Middle East.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Thomas Tuchel left furious after national anthem incident in England World Cup win over CroatiaEngland fans ordered to remove St George's flags during World Cup victory over CroatiaThomas Tuchel spotted having heated row with England star during World Cup victory over CroatiaImmediately after that game, Ronaldo broke down in tears.He wept seemingly sensing that time, which waits for no man, had run out. That this was the last time he would play at the World Cup. Perhaps, even, that this tournament would belong to Messi and Argentina instead.Fast-forward to now, with Ronaldo still Portugal's undisputed leader, it's clearer than ever that he's holding his nation back.Yes, the goals have continued to come since Qatar. For Al-Nassr alone, he has bagged 129 in just 148 appearances. For Portugal, he has added another 25 to his collection.Yet the ugly truth, that can't be denied, is that Ronaldo is a pale comparison to the superstar he used to be.Dr Congo were expected to be brushed aside with ease. Instead, the African nation fought valiantly to secure a remarkable point against one of the tournament favourites.Ronaldo, who lasted the whole 90 minutes, found himself on the fringes of the action.He managed just 16 touches in the first half, just one more than goalkeeper Diogo Costa.Throughout the match in total, he averaged a touch just every 3.6 minutes - officially registering the second-fewest he's ever managed in a World Cup start throughout his career.Ronaldo totalled three shots, but none hit the target.And, most tellingly, he's now gone 10 major tournament games for his country without finding the net. 33 shots, in that time, have all failed to beat the goalkeeper.Roberto Martinez is a good manager. But he doesn't appear to have the courage to do the most logical thing: put Ronaldo on the bench.Speaking afterwards, he said: "It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals."Except it does now. The picture is bigger than that. Ronaldo scores goals in sunny Saudi but when it really matters, he's now more peripheral than ever.Ronaldo should, really, have stepped aside by now. Instead, he demands to start and Portugal, lacking convictions and perhaps faith in their younger guns, give in.The Ronaldo of old is never coming back. This is him now, and unless something changes, Portugal will pay the price for their blind show of faith. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter