The 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is at his sixth and final World Cup, but instead of a triumphant farewell, Portugal's campaign has already been overshadowed by his poor form, social media backlash against teammates, and questions about whether he still deserves to start. Portugal's opening match—a 1-1 draw with DR Congo—was meant to be a step towards glory, but it has instead ignited a debate that could define their tournament.
Portugal are one of the pre-tournament favourites, packed with talent like Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves and Joao Cancelo. But after a lacklustre performance against DR Congo, where Ronaldo failed to score—extending his goal drought to 10 consecutive World Cup and European Championship appearances despite 33 shots—criticism has mounted. Manager Roberto Martinez admitted the team has "the feeling of frustration" and said Ronaldo is "an example" as captain, but acknowledged the disappointment. The stalemate means Portugal must beat Uzbekistan in their second group game on Tuesday (18:00 BST) to avoid a crisis.
“Why Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo debate is dominating their 2026 World Cup campaign”
The roots of the controversy go beyond one match. Ronaldo's status as a global superstar has always made him undroppable, but his age and playing style are increasingly at odds with Portugal's quick, technical squad. In the post-match interview after the DR Congo game, midfielder Joao Neves said Ronaldo was "one more player trying to help" and "no different to the others." That comment—interpreted by some as a lack of deference—triggered a wave of online abuse from Ronaldo supporters aimed at Neves, Bruno Fernandes and others. Even Ronaldo's family got involved: his partner Georgina Rodriguez reacted to a fake quote attributed to Neves' girlfriend, and his sisters shared posts suggesting a plot to sideline him. The Portuguese media have warned of a "civil war" within the squad.
For UK readers, this story matters because many of Portugal's stars play in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (formerly Manchester City), and Diogo Costa (Porto) are familiar faces. The drama also reflects a wider tension in football: how to gracefully manage the finale of a legendary career when results are at stake. England fans have seen similar debates around players like Harry Kane or Wayne Rooney in his final years. Ronaldo's inability to score at major tournaments despite 33 shots raises questions about whether his presence is harming the team's attacking flow.
Q: Is Ronaldo past his best for Portugal? His form suggests yes: he has not scored in his last 10 World Cup and European Championship games, and his all-action style can slow down Portugal's attack. Manager Martinez insists he is a role model, but the statistics are hard to ignore.
Q: Are Portugal better off without Ronaldo? That is the central debate. Portugal have a deep squad with younger, faster attackers, but Ronaldo's aura makes him almost undroppable. Players like Joao Cancelo have admitted the team didn't create enough chances against DR Congo, which some analysts attribute to Ronaldo's static role.
Q: What happened with Joao Neves' comment about Ronaldo? After the DR Congo game, Neves said Ronaldo was "one more player trying to help" and "no different to the others." This was misrepresented online—with fake quotes circulating—leading to a backlash from Ronaldo fans and even his family, forcing Neves to defend himself. The incident shows how sensitive Ronaldo's ego remains and the pressure on his teammates.
What happens next is decisive. Portugal must beat Uzbekistan to regain control of their group. If Ronaldo starts and fails to score again, the calls to drop him will intensify. If he is dropped, the fallout could be even greater. Martinez says the squad is "united" and "stronger" despite the noise, but the tension is palpable. With Ronaldo having confirmed this will be his last World Cup, every match is a potential final chapter—for better or worse.