The World Cup question Cristiano Ronaldo can no longer escape

For more than two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has built his career on proving people wrong.And every time the critics asked him, he responded with goals. And every time doubts arose about his longevity, he produced another record. From Manchester to Madrid, from Turin to Riyadh, and throughout his extraordinary international career with Portugal, Ronaldo has rewritten expectations time and time again.But after Portugal’s frustrating 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, the years-long debate has returned with renewed vigor.Ronaldo, 41, remains Portugal’s captain, leader and biggest global attraction. The question now is whether he will remain Portugal’s most effective weapon on the pitch.The contrast with other football icons during the opening round of matches was striking. Less than a day after Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland scored several goals and helped their country to convincing victories, Ronaldo completed the full 90 minutes against the Republic of Congo without making any decisive impact.Portugal started great. Joao Neves scored an early goal with a header after a dominant opening period in which Roberto Martinez’s side had almost complete control of the ball. Portugal’s dominance during the early stages was overwhelming. In the six minutes before Neves’ goal, Martinez’s team completed 84 passes, compared to only 12 for the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, what seemed like the beginning of a comfortable victory gradually turned into an uncomfortable afternoon.

DR Congo settled into the game, growing more confident, and eventually equalized through Yoan Wissa before the end of the first half.

By the final whistle, the statistics painted an uncomfortable picture for one of the tournament’s favorite teams. Despite having so much possession, Portugal were the second-best team in several key attacking metrics. DR Congo finished with eight shots compared to Portugal’s seven, made two attempts on goal compared to Portugal’s one, and had an expected goal score of 0.82 compared to Portugal’s 0.64.

For a team that was expected to compete strongly in the tournament, the numbers raised uncomfortable questions.Ronaldo’s individual numbers reflected this struggle.In his sixth World Cup appearance, the veteran striker finished with just 25 touches, the second-fewest he has ever scored at the start of a World Cup. He only managed three shot attempts, created no chances, completed two progressive carries and two progressive passes, won two aerial duels, attempted no ground duels and made only one ball recovery.

He also made almost no defensive contribution. It was one of the least impactful World Cup performances of his career.

Perhaps most worrying is how Portugal’s attack operates around him.Ronaldo repeatedly moved away from central areas in search of involvement. At times he would move into wide positions in search of space because he could no longer consistently achieve physical advantages against younger defenders.

The result was that Portugal often lacked a natural target inside the penalty area when crosses arrived.His first attempt on goal did not arrive until the 68th minute. None of his shots bothered the Congolese defence. Even two of Ronaldo’s three attempts showed a broader problem. Instead of threatening centrally inside the box, he was repeatedly pushed into wider areas in search of space.Former Arsenal and France star

Thierry Henry

He was among those who analyzed Portugal’s attacking problems and pointed to a particular moment involving Joao Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo.Speaking after the match, Henry stressed that team success must come before personal ambition.“The only thing that matters, people, please stay home: the team needs to score, not you need to score,” he said.Henry then broke the sequence in which he felt Ronaldo’s move was working against Portugal and not for them.“So, obviously here we will see Portugal on the ball, and Cancelo will receive the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in this situation many times. If you make that run here, you will – you will make the defender make a decision to break down the six-yard box.”According to Henry, running towards goal would have drawn the defenders deeper and perhaps created space for Bruno Fernandes to score the ball.He added: “But because he wants to score, he follows the path of Bruno Fernandes.

If he got into the six-yard box, I was in that position, I would see – you had to follow him, follow him, and then it would be a pass to Bruno Fernandes. But because he wants to score, he goes the back pass route. You see both players, and it’s easier to defend.”The concern was not just Ronaldo’s failure to score. The extent of his influence on the tempo of Portugal’s attack was minimal. More often than not, the attacks seemed designed to find him regardless of whether there was a better option.

When he drifted deep, he often occupied spaces that could have been used by Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva or Joao Neves. While his movements sometimes created space for teammates, Portugal rarely looked fluid in the final third.The issue has become clearer because Ronaldo no longer compensates for those tactical concessions with goals in football’s biggest tournaments.

Since scoring a penalty against Ghana during the 2022 World Cup, he has now gone ten consecutive World Cup and European Championship matches without scoring.

The drought extended over 800 minutes, and it has been almost five years since his last goal in open play in either competition.The contrast with his overall record remains striking. Ronaldo scored in both the semi-finals and final as Portugal lifted the UEFA Nations League last summer and continues to score regularly in club football and qualifying matches. However, at the highest international level, goals are becoming increasingly difficult to find.There is no doubt about what Ronaldo has achieved for Portugal. His influence has helped deliver major international awards and countless memorable moments over two decades.However, the reality of 2026 is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The numbers surrounding Portugal’s attack are equally revealing. In Portugal’s last four major matches in the tournament, Ronaldo has played 396 minutes out of a possible 420, yet the team has scored just once.

Over the past two years in all competitions, Portugal have averaged 1.9 goals per game when Ronaldo starts compared to 2.8 goals per game when he is not playing. While one statistic alone does not tell the whole story, it inevitably raises debate about whether Portugal’s attack operates more effectively without its captain.

However, Ronaldo supporters can point to another compelling statistic. Since his World Cup debut in 2006, Portugal have achieved a record of five wins, one draw and no defeats in major tournaments when Ronaldo has scored.

When he fails to score, this record drops to five wins, five draws and seven defeats. Few players in the history of international football have had such a direct link to their team’s success.However, dropping it is much easier discussed than done.Yo Roberto Martinez faced a delicate balancing act. Gonzalo Ramos remains the obvious alternative but relies heavily on service. A false nine system featuring Bruno Fernandes or Joao Felix could provide greater fluidity but would pose new tactical questions.There is also the psychological dimension. Few managers would bench one of the greatest footballers in history, especially one who is still so highly respected within the dressing room.Maybe the answer lies somewhere in the middle.Ronaldo’s experience, leadership and finishing instincts remain valuable assets. However, asking him to lead Portugal’s attack for 90 minutes against elite opposition looks increasingly unrealistic.

A more carefully managed role, potentially as an influential substitute against tired defenders, could allow Portugal to capitalize on his strengths while minimizing his physicality.

What worries Portugal is that there appears to be no real plan B. Martinez has always supported Ronaldo, even as questions have increased about his role. During Euro 2024, the Portugal coach replaced him in only one of his five matches.

Against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all the creative players including Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha withdrew, but Ronaldo remained on the field. Even when Gonzalo Ramos was introduced in the final minutes, it was the midfielder who made way instead of the captain.The next match against Uzbekistan may determine the Portuguese championship and Ronaldo’s role in it.A strong performance and goal can temporarily silence the debate, as Ronaldo has done countless times before. However, any further ineffective display will only intensify scrutiny of Martinez’s decisions and Portugal’s reliance on a player who remains legendary but no longer seems untouchable.For years, the question surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo has been whether Portugal can win thanks to him.In 2026, the most troubling question may be whether Portugal can afford to not develop beyond that.