Ronaldo Debate Grips Portugal After Flat World Cup Showing

Portugal’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 2026 World Cup has intensified a national argument over Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the team. A Portuguese poll published the previous day asked whether Ronaldo should start against Uzbekistan, and most respondents said no, reflecting the mood after his disappointing display against Congo.

Portugal meets Uzbekistan on Tuesday at 20:00 in its second match of the tournament, and coach Roberto Martinez is expected to start the 41-year-old forward again. Martinez appears determined to stick with him and hopes, given the weaker opponent on paper, that Ronaldo can end his scoring drought. Yet criticism is growing, even if players publicly defend him.

Spanish paper AS wrote that the discussion in Portugal is no longer only about football, but about a conflict that is splitting the national team, the fans and public debate. German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung ran the headline “CR7 malfunction,” and reporter Javier Cares said Ronaldo’s presence raises a question that goes beyond sport and may be one reason Portugal’s talent does not play faster or more boldly.

In The Guardian, Portuguese journalist Miguel Dantas said Ronaldo “is no longer fit to be a starter” for Portugal. He added that what once might have sounded like “treason” now seems obvious, and argued that Ronaldo should ask for a reduced role if he truly wants to help the national team. Dantas said the superstar is slowing Portugal down and risks damaging the legacy that made him the greatest player in Portuguese football history.