Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been described as a “total genius” by FIFA for the manner in which he won a penalty against Ghana in his nation’s opening World Cup match.
Ronaldo became the first player to score in five different World Cups when he netted the controversial spot kick in the 65th minute. The penalty was awarded after the 37-year-old was judged to have been tripped by Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu.
The Portuguese superstar ended his relationship with Manchester United by mutual consent this week, following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. He has switched fully to international mode and is aiming to break multiple different World Cup records.
Portugal’s win over Ghana produced no shortage of talking points, with Black Stars boss Otto Addo left fuming over the decision to award Portugal a penalty after Ronaldo went down under Salisu's challenge.
Addo fumed after the game, telling beIN Sports: "The referee gave a penalty which was not a penalty - everyone saw that. Why? Because it's Ronaldo or something?"
At the post-match press conference, Addo continued to voice his displeasure at the decision, and was asked if he thought the penalty was awarded because of Ronaldo’s superstar status: "Ask the referee," he replied.
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"I have no proof if he would have decided differently for someone else. There was a contact of players. I don't know what they were doing, was VAR not paying attention? The referee was not in our favour today."
However, former Nigeria midfielder Sunday Oliseh, who is a member of FIFA’s technical study group, insisted that the decision to award a penalty to Portugal was the correct one by the officials and praised Ronaldo’s actions in winning the spot kick
"Maybe the strikers are getting smarter?" said Oliseh. "The Ronaldo penalty, people can say what they want about him, but the smartness to wait for that second, to touch the ball, continue his leg and then get the contact. That is total genius.
"Let's give strikers the compliment for getting smarter. VAR is also a major reason why this (more penalties being awarded) is happening. Referees can look at it three or four times."
