A Portugal international, who missed out on a World Cup spot, claims the team play better without veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jose Fonte was part of Portugal's European Championship-wining side and was in the squad during the World Cup play-offs, but was unlucky not to be named in the final squad.
Ronaldo was named on the bench against Switzerland, but the went on to secure a 6-1 victory and a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco on Saturday.
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Fonte feels A Selecao are allowed to be more fluid when Ronaldo is not on the field.
"Portugal have the quality to do this in every game, but we have to be honest - just his presence on the field makes the players of the national team unconsciously and automatically have to play for him and always give him the ball," Fonte said, according to A Bola.
"For being who he is, for what he has done and what he is still capable of doing.
"When he is not there, Portugal plays more as a team and that was seen (against Switzerland).
"They played fluidly, without a single focal point, everyone contributed and it was beautiful to see."
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