Cristiano Ronaldo will head into the World Cup under a level of scrutiny that would have been unimaginable not long ago, even for Portugal’s greatest ever player.
The Al-Nassr forward is still a starter under Roberto Martinez, but questions over his role grew louder after Portugal’s 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria.
Ronaldo played 65 minutes, had four shots, missed three big chances and lost possession four times, leaving fans wondering if Portugal are still too reliant on him.
That frustration has now moved beyond the fanbase and into the Portuguese media, where one journalist argued that Ronaldo’s continued place in the side has become an issue. And it did not take long for his sister, Elma Aveiro, to respond publicly.
Elma Aveiro hits back after Carlos Daniel questions Cristiano Ronaldo
Journalist Carlos Daniel did not hold back after the Nigeria match, saying (via Hiper FM): “It seemed to me that Ronaldo is a problem for the national team today, and today’s game proved that.”
He went on to add: “It seems to me that Portugal being tied to the obligation of always playing with Ronaldo today is a problem.”
Those comments cut to the heart of the ongoing debate. This isn’t just about one underwhelming friendly, but whether Martinez can build a balanced attack while still treating Ronaldo as an automatic starter.
Aveiro then responded on Instagram, writing: “This man has no mirrors, and who told this fool that his opinion is worth anything? You’re old, and for what you do you’re quite weak and stupid, and also realize that Ronaldo doesn’t give a damn about your opinion. Go home, you’re getting senile.”
The timing only adds to the tension. Portugal open their World Cup campaign against Congo in Houston, Texas, on 17th June, and every decision involving their superstar will be under the microscope.
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