Cristiano Ronaldo Under Fire Amid Portugal’s World Cup Struggles
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez will start 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo against Uzbekistan this Tuesday in Houston, following a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martínez defended the decision, stating that Ronaldo’s experience in the area and ability to attract defenders are essential for a team seeking goals.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance under scrutiny?
Ronaldo recorded the fewest interventions (25) of any Portuguese player who played over 60 minutes during the draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to match data, he attempted zero dribbles and sent all three of his shots off target.
Ngal’ayel Mukau, a Lille midfielder for the Congo, said after the match that the team knew Ronaldo “would run less” because he “is no longer the same” due to his age. Former player Thierry Henry told Fox Sports that Ronaldo’s obsession with finishing plays may interfere with the spacing of his teammates.
How has the media and team responded to the slump?
Portuguese media reacted sharply to the performance, with the newspaper O Jogo featuring a “Depression Cristiano” cover and A Bola titling its lead “The captain under fire.” This tension mirrors a 2022 conflict when former coach Fernando Santos benched Ronaldo in Qatar, a move that prompted support for the player from then-President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Internal friction surfaced after PSG midfielder João Neves described Ronaldo as “a teammate like any other.” This comment sparked social media disputes involving Ronaldo’s sisters and his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, who posted a now-deleted comment regarding “new generations.”
Captain Rúben Neves dismissed the controversy as “unnecessary agitation” and “media noise” during a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida. Francisco Conceiçao added that while Ronaldo has unmatched quality, teammates are not obligated to pass to him if another player is unmarked.
What happens next for the Seleção in Houston?
Portugal faces Uzbekistan on Tuesday at 19:00 via Dazn. Roberto Martínez has confirmed he will start Ronaldo as the center-forward, while Gonçalo Ramos will remain on the bench.
The team’s performance contrasts with other tournament stars. According to current stats, Lionel Messi has scored five goals to become the all-time World Cup top scorer with 18, while Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane have each recorded doublets.
If Ronaldo fails to score against Uzbekistan, the pressure on Martínez to reconsider his starting lineup could increase. However, the coach maintains that it makes no sense to remove the world’s all-time leading scorer—with 973 total goals—when the team needs offensive production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Ronaldo’s statistics against the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Ronaldo had 25 interventions, completed 19 of 21 passes, attempted zero dribbles, and missed all three of his shots on goal.
Who is coaching Uzbekistan?
The Uzbekistan national team is coached by Italian Fabio Cannavaro.
How many goals has Ronaldo scored for the Portuguese national team?
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals for the Seleção.
Do you think experience or current form should determine who starts in a World Cup match?