World Cup 2026: Portuguese Media Raises Questions About Ronaldo's Role

Portuguese media report that the lackluster display of the forward line has laid bare several problems in the national team's gameplay, centering on the continued reliance on Ronaldo, who has now endured five straight World Cup games without a goal.

Speaking on CNN Portugal, journalist Sofia Oliveira argued that Ronaldo ought not be an automatic choice in the starting eleven. Yet she conceded that Portugal currently lacks the readiness for a full generational shift in the absence of this seasoned goal-scorer.

Per Sofia Oliveira, a major drawback for Ronaldo currently is his noticeably diminished capacity to press and apply pressure on the opponent's backline. Such a quality, she notes, could be provided by younger talents such as Gonçalo Ramos or João Félix, thereby enhancing the team's effectiveness in offensive scenarios.

Football pundit Diogo Luís, meanwhile, contends that all players deserve an impartial evaluation based on their current form. He opined that if Ronaldo's recent displays persist, the coaching team ought to contemplate alterations in the lineup to open doors for alternative attacking choices.

Criticism isn't limited to local pundits. Ex-legend Thierry Henry, currently a Fox Sports commentator, expressed the view that Ronaldo is excessively preoccupied with his own goal-scoring pursuits instead of contributing to the team's overall game plan.

Commentator T. Henry noted that in various offensive phases, Ronaldo tends to drift into zones that belong to his teammates, particularly Bruno Fernandes, thereby hindering Portugal's ability to move the ball and generate clear-cut opportunities against the opposition.

Publico journalist Diogo Cardoso Oliveira likewise voiced his frustration, arguing that the Portuguese national team continues to lean heavily on individual moments of inspiration instead of developing a coherent attacking framework.

He stressed that Portugal's expected goals (xG) figure for the match versus DR Congo stood at just 0.59, inferior to that of their opponents (0.82), underscoring a troubling lack of edge for a team considered among the favorites before the tournament.

Facing the backlash, head coach Roberto Martinez stood by his captain. The Spanish tactician insisted that there was no justification for replacing the highest goal-scorer in world football history given the team's need for goals.

In Martinez's view, the cause of Portugal's failure to secure victory was not down to Ronaldo alone, but stemmed from the team's excessively conservative mindset after scoring an early goal. He felt that the players did not sustain the required offensive momentum, enabling the opponent to stage a comeback.

As for Ronaldo himself, he also broke his silence following the frustrating draw. Taking to social media, the 41-year-old icon urged his teammates to keep their heads up and concentrate on the upcoming game, reaffirming that Portugal's path in the 2026 World Cup remains open.

However, discussions surrounding Ronaldo's position are expected to continue well into Portugal's second group stage match against Uzbekistan. The outcome of that encounter could have a major impact on the dynamics of Group K and the prospects of the Portuguese side in the 2026 World Cup.