Portuguese fans are furious with Ronaldo: Is hope already lost before the World Cup has even begun?

Despite Portugal's win, Cristiano Ronaldo's performance frustrated supporters, leading to intense backlash right before the 2026 World Cup.

Although Portugal defeated Nigeria 2-1 in their final warm-up match before the 2026 World Cup, the post-game spotlight was not on Pedro Neto or Francisco Conceicao, but rather on the forgettable display of Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the age of 41, Ronaldo was once again given a starting spot by coach Roberto Martinez. However, what the 41-year-old superstar showed on the pitch at Leiria only heightened fans' worries ahead of the biggest football festival on the planet.

During his 64 minutes on the field, CR7 attempted four shots but failed to hit the target even once. Notably, the Portugal captain missed three clear-cut chances and lost every one-on-one battle. This was also the second consecutive friendly in which Ronaldo failed to score, despite being expected to lead the attack.

Right after the match ended, social media platform X exploded with a flurry of critical comments aimed at the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Many fans believed that Ronaldo is no longer sharp enough to lead Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

"Ronaldo is truly past his prime", one account commented. Meanwhile, another fan even wrote bitterly: "Our World Cup dream may have ended before the tournament even started."

Many opinions suggest that Portugal's problems aren't solely about Ronaldo. Despite consecutive 2-1 wins over Chile and Nigeria, Roberto Martinez's team is still seen as sluggish, inconsistent, and particularly inefficient in finishing.

Coach Martinez's decision to pull Ronaldo off the field at the 64th minute is also seen as a sign that the coaching staff were not fully satisfied with the captain's performance.

Nevertheless, it's undeniable that Ronaldo remains the biggest icon of Portuguese football. The 2026 World Cup is likely to be his last international tournament, marking a historic milestone as CR7 aims for his sixth World Cup appearance.

However, instead of the usual praise, Ronaldo is facing a wave of doubt from his own fans. And if he does not regain his scoring instinct soon, the pressure on the 41-year-old superstar will certainly increase once the World Cup officially begins.