Resilient Goncalo Ramos grafted his way to World Cup star status

STUNNING IMPACT: Goncalo Ramos has become a World Cup star after replacing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal side and going on to score a hat-trick against Switzerland. Pic: Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP

When Gonçalo Ramos moved from his childhood home in the Algarve to Lisbon to join Benfica’s academy as a teenager he struggled to settle, often crying for his parents. His determination to get through the hard times ensured he would make the most of his talent and helped to mould him as a person.

On Tuesday, at the age of 21, Ramos was not fazed by replacing the national icon Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s World Cup last-16 tie against Switzerland. Those who know him were not surprised he scored a fine hat-trick, and Morocco will be more worried about facing him than a certain former Manchester United striker in Saturday’s quarter-final.