Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s World Cup squad is facing renewed scrutiny following another debate over whether he is being carried through matches.
The latest criticism came after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener, a match where Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but struggled to make any real impact in attack.
Now 41, Ronaldo remains one of the game’s biggest names. But questions are growing over whether his presence is helping Portugal, or forcing one of the tournament’s most talented squads to adapt around him.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s role questioned after World Cup draw
Speaking on goodbadfootball’s podcast, former Manchester United player Paul Scholes said: “Yeah, for a 40, 41 year old to be playing centre forward, I just don’t get it.”
The criticism continued: “I think you might get away with it at the centre half, you might do in a team that keeps the ball, but as a centre forward of the 40, I think it’s a little bit selfish that he’s actually.”
Nicky Butt summed up why the conversation around Ronaldo is so complicated: “You know what he’s like.”
The point was not that Ronaldo lacks greatness. It was that his competitive drive, which made him a legend, can also make it harder for Portugal to move on tactically.
Portugal performance makes Ronaldo question harder to avoid
Against DR Congo in Houston, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes, failed to score and did not register a shot on target. Portugal led early through Joao Neves, but Yoane Wissa equalized before halftime and the game ended 1-1.
Roberto Martinez defended keeping Ronaldo on, saying there was no sense in taking out the best goal scorer in world football when Portugal needed a goal.
That is exactly why this is such a big story. Ronaldo now plays club soccer for Al-Nassr and can still finish chances, but Portugal also have Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Goncalo Ramos in a squad built for speed and movement.
The ex-United debate therefore cuts beyond one poor match. It asks whether Ronaldo’s final World Cup chapter is still about Portugal’s best XI, or about making room for a legend who refuses to step back.
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