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Portugal’s exit from the World Cup has prompted increased scrutiny of a team many have labeled the nation’s best in history, with Wayne Rooney and Ricardo Quaresma questioning whether the midfield did enough to get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo during what turned out to be the 41-year-old’s final World Cup. Their criticism followed Portugal’s 1-0 round of 16 defeat by Spain, a result that ended Ronaldo’s international World Cup journey and put the spotlight on a midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinho and João Neves who entered the tournament with huge expectations but ended up with disappointing attacking contributions.
Ronaldo retired after Portugal were knocked out earlier
Portugal arrived at the tournament heralded as a real contender, boasting a squad full of established stars and up-and-coming talent. Much of the pre-tournament debate centered on whether Ronaldo, now 41, could continue to thrive with one of the most technically gifted midfields in Europe supplying him.Instead, Portugal’s campaign ended in the round of 16 with a narrow defeat to Spain, bringing Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance to an emotional end.Ronaldo confirmed before the match that the tournament will be his last.“It’s true, this was my last World Cup.“There will be time to think about everything else, to be with my family, and I don’t want to make decisions when I’m hot. Life goes on.”After the defeat, the Portuguese captain reflected on his international career.“I won three titles for Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal did not win a single title in history. I won Euro 2016, which for me is like winning the World Cup.“I leave with a clear conscience and doing my best for Portugal.”
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Although Ronaldo finally ended his long wait to score in the knockout stages of the World Cup during this tournament, the statistics behind Portugal’s campaign suggested that he often operated with a limited serve.
Rooney questions Portugal’s approach
Speaking on the BBC’s World Cup coverage, former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney claimed Portugal had repeatedly failed to capitalize on Ronaldo’s greatest remaining strength, his movement and finishing inside the box.“If you play with Cristiano Ronaldo, you have to use him,” Rooney said.“The ball could have been put in the box here, by Bruno Fernandes. But they refuse to put it in.“If you play it, you have to use it!”“In stoppages, he’s still a big threat for Portugal. Don’t play him the ball 30 meters from the goal, that’s not his strength anymore. Put it into the penalty area where he’s still effective.”Rooney’s assessment builds on comments he made earlier in the tournament, when he compared Portugal’s relationship with Ronaldo to Argentina’s attachment to Lionel Messi.“You always put Ronaldo and Messi together because they are the two best players the game has ever seen.“But the Argentine boys look like they’re all there for Messi. They’re all behind him. Messi’s obviously been fantastic at this World Cup.“I don’t feel that vibe from the Portuguese players.”Rooney also admitted that age has naturally changed Ronaldo’s game, with the veteran forward no longer possessing the mobility that defined much of his career.
Quaresma gives a harsh assessment of the Portuguese midfield
Former Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma offered an equally critical assessment after the defeat, questioning both the team’s performance and the widespread belief that this team represents Portugal’s strongest generation.“Everyone said that this team is the best in the history of Portugal, but in what way? What did they win? We are going home with our heads down.”Quaresma particularly criticized the midfield.“In the midfield we have great players, a lot of talent, but they were very, very weak in this World Cup. The attack was the same and the defense was lost.“Roberto Martinez never instilled confidence in me. We have to play this game with much more pleasure. We left the tournament with a national team that everyone called ‘the best team in history’.”Speaking directly to Portuguese defender Rúben Dias during a podcast discussion, Quaresma also criticized the team’s conservative style of play.“I don’t agree with what you are saying. I think you could have given a lot more, because you are at a very high level.“I felt that you play a lot backwards, sideways, you don’t shoot as much on goal… You talked about possession, but possession doesn’t win games.”
Statistics highlight the lack of creativity in Portugal
Criticisms of Rooney and Quaresma have been reinforced by Portugal’s tournament numbers.Despite boasting the immense talent of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves, Portugal’s star-studded midfield has largely failed to spark their attack during the World Cup. While Bruno Fernandes managed to register an assist and set up a few openings, his partners Vitinha and João Neves seriously struggled with their creativity, managing very little threat throughout the campaign. This distinct lack of fluid serve severely stifled Portugal’s attack, leaving them stagnant in the final third before their eventual elimination in the round of 16 by Spain.
Portugal’s Ruben Dias (3) checks Pedro Neto, bottom, during the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Earlier in the competition, Thierry Henry questioned whether Ronaldo’s presence was still the best fit for Portugal’s attack. However, after the elimination from the round of 16, the debate expanded considerably.Instead of placing the blame solely on the veteran striker, Rooney and Quaresma pointed to a disconnect between the Portuguese midfield and centre-forward. For a team built around technical control and possession, they argued, the failure to consistently supply one of the best players in football became one of the key themes of Ronaldo’s last World Cup.
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