Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup began with history, but Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo quickly turned that milestone into a tactical debate.
Ronaldo remains one of football’s all-time greats.
But after his complete ineffectiveness against DR Congo, the question is whether Portugal is now better using him differently.
Cristiano Ronaldo labelled a hindrance after Congo draw
Jay Bothroyd delivered a blunt verdict on Sky Sports after Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal’s Group K opener.
“Have to be honest, I think if Ronaldo is a team player, I think he should step down and understand that he has to be a player that comes off the bench as an impact player. Is he ever going to do that? Nope, I don’t think he is. And that’s my point. I look at Ronaldo and… the Ronaldo faithful are going to hate me today, but it looks like it’s all about him, yeah? You know, and he’s always chasing Messi all the time. He’s never going to be Messi, but what he has throughout his career, he’s made the absolute most out of his career… But right now he’s becoming more of a hindrance for Portugal than help, and I think that’s where Martinez is going wrong.”
The numbers made that criticism easy to understand. Ronaldo played 90 minutes, had three shots, none on target, missed two huge chances, and produced only 25 touches, according to FotMob. Sky Sports also noted Portugal had just one shot on target all game, Joao Neves’ sixth-minute goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces ego versus Portugal’s practicality
This is where the debate becomes bigger than one bad game. Ronaldo is 41, still capable of finishing chances, but less capable of carrying a full attacking structure for 90 minutes.
Portugal has the depth to be braver. Goncalo Ramos is a natural No. 9, Rafael Leao gives pace and ball-carrying, and Goncalo Guedes can stretch games across the front line. All three offer more movement than Ronaldo from the start.
That does not mean Ronaldo has no role. It means his best role may be as the deadliest late-game substitute in the tournament, entering when defenders are tired, and Portugal needs one final touch in the box.
The ego-versus-practicality fight is obvious. Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and opened 2026 with another statement, but Ronaldo cannot single-handedly drag arguably Portugal’s most talented squad to the same ending.
If the goal is national glory, Ronaldo has to sacrifice the personal chase. Let the younger, sharper teammates carry Portugal early, then come on late to finish the story properly.
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