Portugal manager Fernando Santos has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo will never be a true centre forward despite the Real Madrid star having recently turned out for club and country in the No. 9 role.
He does not believe that Ronaldo is a classic winger either, as the former Manchester United star cannot be tasked with defensive duties given how much energy he puts into attacking.
Ronaldo will be Santos' key player at next summer's UEFA Euro 2016 in France, and the manager is looking to give him as much "potency" as possible, but he does not see him as a true striker, per Spanish outlet AS: "He'll never be a centre forward, a traditional number nine, who plays with his back to goal in the area.