Portugal has been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup following a tournament in which head coach Fernando Santos repeatedly selected Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup. According to The New York Times, that decision is considered a contributing factor in the team’s exit.

According to The New York Times, Ronaldo was indulged throughout the tournament by the coaching staff, despite performances that were widely regarded as below the level expected at this stage of international competition. The publication argues that his continued inclusion in the starting eleven disrupted the team’s overall balance and tactical cohesion.

The situation surrounding Ronaldo’s role within the squad dominated coverage of the Portuguese national team for the duration of the tournament. The New York Times reports that the forward was not subjected to the same objective performance criteria applied to other members of the squad, a matter that generated considerable debate both within football circles and among the broader public.

Portugal’s elimination is presented by The New York Times as, in part, a consequence of the manner in which the coaching staff managed Ronaldo’s involvement throughout the competition.

Neither the Portuguese Football Federation nor the coaching staff could be reached for comment at the time of publication.