‘Portugal look like any run-of-the-mill team’ – Mourinho slams national team claims they are nothing without Ronaldo

Despite fielding a strong lineup that included Nuno Mendes, Chico Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, and João Cancelo, Portugal failed to find the back of the net. 

The friendly match proceeded without Ronaldo, who was not expected to feature after getting injured before the international break.

The result prompted a strong reaction from the former Fenerbahçe manager, who pushed back against the popular sentiment among some fans that the team is better off without the Al-Nassr star.

Mourinho was blunt in his assessment, stating that Portugal loses its edge when its all-time leading scorer is absent.

"Take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture and Portugal look like any run-of-the-mill team," he commented.

The decorated coach directly addressed those who have called for Ronaldo to be dropped from the squad, using the goalless draw as evidence of his importance.

"People keep asking us not to call him up. Well, he didn’t play today and you saw the result," Mourinho said. 

"No threat, no fear from the opposition. Just a team being put under pressure by Mexico."The Ronaldo Effect

Mourinho concluded by emphasising the psychological impact Ronaldo has on opponents, suggesting his mere presence on the field is enough to intimidate the opposition.

"When Ronaldo is on the pitch, the opposition thinks twice," he explained. "Without him, they don’t think at all."