Portugal opened the 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, and Cristiano Ronaldo came under sharp criticism for a poor display. The match, played on June 18, 2026, was expected to end in a win for Portugal, but the team instead struggled against a stubborn opponent, with Ronaldo the main target of disappointment.
English pundit Chris Sutton said Ronaldo's performance was not the only problem, also blaming coach Roberto Martinez. Sutton argued that Martinez should have substituted Ronaldo but was “afraid” to do so, adding that Ronaldo was effectively acting as Portugal's on-field coach. Thierry Henry was equally blunt, saying the team needed goals from the squad, not from Ronaldo alone, and that this was the moment for him to “take a step back” because he could no longer influence games. Henry also said the contrast between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo was now clear in what each brings to their teams.
BBC commentary also focused on the coaching decision, saying Ronaldo’s leadership and experience were supposed to help younger players, but that such star players can also draw too much attention and noise. The broadcasters said Martinez's substitutions mattered because once a player like Ronaldo is removed, others can take responsibility. They added that during the full 90 minutes, the question remained whether Martinez would take Ronaldo off.
Statistically, the criticism was backed up by Ronaldo’s numbers: he had zero shots on target, drew no fouls, contributed nothing defensively, won only one of two duels, and touched the ball just 24 times. After the match, Ronaldo wrote on X, “This is not the start we wanted, but it is far from over. Heads up, and focus on the next game.”
