Ronaldo’s omission from the starting XI took over the pre-match headlines ahead of Portugal’s World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland.
However, his replacement – Goncalo Ramos, went on to score a stunning hat-trick as Portugal defeated Switzerland by six goals to one.
“That’s a team that can easily go all the way” ex-England striker Ian Wright began on ITV Sport.
“And he [Ronaldo] could still really contribute to this team without maybe having to do so much, because this team can do it without him.
“They’ve proved that before in the Euros [winning in 2016] and they’ve done it today. They were dynamic without him”.
“If he just gets it all right in his head, he could still end up scoring the winning goal for them in the final.”
The former Manchester United attacker has been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr after leaving Old Trafford by mutual consent.
Portugal will face Morocco in the quarter-final match on Saturday as they seek their first semi-final appearance since the 2006 edition.