Cristiano Ronaldo risked himself for Portugal, says national coach

Portugal manager Paulo Bento has told reporters that star player Cristiano Ronaldo arrived for the World Cup unfit and that his appearance in the national side's last game against Ghana could have been sacrificial for his career.

Ronaldo failed to show much of the abilities that have him one of the most feared forwards on the planet for Real Madrid, despite a moment of brilliance when setting up a goal for Portugal against the USA.

Now manager Paulo Bento admits that Ronaldo perhaps should not have played at all.

"When he arrived he was not at 100 percent but then he was always able to train and play," Bento said. "He played with effort and sacrifice, but clinically he was able to play. If not, he would not have played. There was no type of pressure to speed up his recovery."