Portugal have been one of the biggest disappointments at the World Cup so far, despite reaching the knockout rounds.
Roberto Martinez’s side only won one of their three group games (against Uzbekistan), drawing with DR Congo and Colombia.
Having finished second in Group K, they now face a tougher route to the final, starting with Croatia in the Round of 32.
An ESPN pundit has now tipped Ronaldo’s Portugal to exit the World Cup in the first knockout round.
ESPN pundit explains why Portugal could fall short at the 2026 World Cup
Portugal are expected to beat Croatia in the Round of 32, despite earning fewer points in the group stage.
Croatia won 1-0 against Panama and 2-1 against Ghana, following their 4-2 defeat to England in their opening match.
They have an ageing team, including 40-year-old Luka Modric and 37-year-old Ivan Perisic, but they are always tough to beat.
Portugal will need to perform better than they did against Colombia last weekend, where they failed to score a single goal.
Ronaldo has received the lion’s share of the blame for Portugal’s woes as many believe he should not be in the starting XI.
ESPN expert Kevin Egan has now predicted that Martinez’s side will suffer an embarrassing Round of 32 exit on Thursday.
“I’m sorry, Ronaldo fans, but I’m looking at you, Portugal. That’s the reality,” Egan said. “They’ve looked really poor, and I think Roberto Martinez is a weakness.
“He’s been leaning heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo, playing every single minute for Portugal against Colombia when it clearly wasn’t working.
“Ronaldo is wonderful. Ronaldo is one of the greatest of all time; he’s also 41, and maybe he could do with a little bit of rest.
“Even in midfield, Joao Neves, a star at Paris Saint-Germain who plays alongside Vitinha, not starting alongside his teammate is baffling to me.
“So, Portugal going into a game against Croatia… I don’t think Croatia are at the peak of their powers; however, I think they have enough to knock out Portugal.”
If Portugal were to be knocked out, it would probably be the last time we see Ronaldo in an international game.
The former Real Madrid star will always be considered an all-time great, but his World Cup legacy would remain underwhelming.
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