Portuguese fans say Ronaldo should not start against Uzbekistan

Portugal will face Uzbekistan on Tuesday in the second round of the 2026 World Cup, after opening the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Congo. The team is hoping to improve its play and secure a better result.

In Portugal, however, the main debate is Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the lineup. The newspaper A Bola ran a poll among its writers and readers asking which team should start, and the majority decided the striker no longer deserves a spot in the first XI. In that fan and media vote, Goncalo Ramos was preferred ahead of him.

The voted-for lineup was Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Trincao, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos. Still, that selection reflects public opinion and is not expected to match the actual team Roberto Martinez will field.

Ronaldo is expected to keep his place and has full backing from Martinez, with the main uncertainty centered on the wide positions. Francisco Conceicao, who impressed after coming off the bench in the opening match, is expected to start on the right wing, while Pedro Neto should remain on the left after providing an assist in the opener. Defender Tomas Araujo is also a doubt because of an injury he is carrying, and it is still unclear whether he will be fit.