For more than two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has built a career on proving people wrong.Every time critics questioned him, he responded with goals. Every time there were doubts about his longevity, he produced a new record. From Manchester to Madrid, Turin to Riyadh, and through an outstanding international career in Portugal, Ronaldo has repeatedly rewritten expectations.But after Portugal’s frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, the years-long debate has returned with renewed intensity.At the age of 41, Ronaldo is still the Portuguese captain, leader and the world’s biggest attraction. The question now is whether he remains Portugal’s most effective weapon on the pitch.The contrast with other football icons during the opening games was striking. Less than a day after Lionel MessiKylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all scored multiple goals to help their nations to convincing victories, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes against DR Congo without making a decisive impact.Portugal got off to a great start. João Neves struck early in the game after a dominant opening spell in which Roberto MartÃnez’s side almost completely controlled possession. Portugal’s dominance during the opening phase was incredible. In the six-minute stretch leading up to Neves’ goal, MartÃnez’s side completed 84 passes compared to just 12 for DR Congo. However, what looked like the start of a comfortable victory gradually turned into a far more unpleasant afternoon.DR Congo settled into the contest, grew in confidence and eventually equalized through Yoane Wissa before half-time.
Statistics of the match Portugal – DR Congo
Until the final whistle, the statistics painted an unpleasant picture for one of the favorites of the tournament. Despite having most of the possession, Portugal were second best in several key attacking metrics. DR Congo finished with eight shots compared to Portugal’s seven, had two shots on goal compared to Portugal’s one and generated 0.82 expected goals against Portugal’s 0.64. For a team expected to challenge deep into the tournament, the numbers have raised some uncomfortable questions.Ronaldo’s individual numbers reflected that struggle.In his sixth World Cup appearance, the veteran striker finished with just 25 touches, the second fewest ever in a World Cup start. He managed only three shot attempts, did not create any chances, completed two progressive carries and two progressive passes, won two aerial duels, did not attempt any duels on the ground and recovered only one ball. He also offered virtually no defensive contribution. It was one of the least impactful World Cup performances of his career.
Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy
Perhaps more worrying was how the Portuguese attack functioned around him.Ronaldo repeatedly moved away from central areas in search of involvement. From time to time he switched to wide positions looking for space because he could no longer consistently gain the physical advantage against younger defenders. The result was that Portugal often did not have a natural target inside the penalty area when crosses were coming.His first attempt on goal came only in the 68th minute. None of his shots bothered the Congolese defense. Even two of Ronaldo’s three attempts illustrated a wider problem. Instead of threatening centrally inside the penalty area, he was often 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 specific moment in which João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo.Speaking after the game, Henry emphasized that team success must come before personal ambitions.“One thing that is important, people, please at home: the team has to score, not you have to score,” he said.Henry then broke down a sequence where he felt Ronaldo’s movement worked against Portugal rather than for them.“So obviously we’re going to see Portugal on the ball here, Cancelo is going to receive the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in this situation more than once. If you make that run here, you – you make the defender make a decision to break the box.”According to Henry, a run towards goal would draw defenders deeper and potentially create space for Bruno Fernandes to finish.“But because he wants to score, he goes the way of Bruno Fernandes. If he goes into that six-yard box, you’ve been in that situation, I’ll see – you’d have to follow him, follow him, and then he’d have stepped on Bruno Fernandes. But because he wants to score, he gets into the path of the last pass. You see both players and it’s easier for you to defend.”The concern was not only that Ronaldo failed to score. How little he affected Portugal’s attacking rhythm. All too often attacks were made designed to find him regardless of whether there was a better option. When he went deeper, he often occupied spaces that could otherwise have been used by Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva or João Neves. While his movement occasionally created space for teammates, Portugal rarely looked fluid in the final third.The problem becomes even more pronounced because Ronaldo no longer makes up for these tactical compromises with goals in the biggest football tournaments.
A drought that won’t go away
Since converting a penalty against Ghana during the 2022 World Cup, he has now gone ten consecutive games at World Cups and European Championships without scoring. The drought stretched to more than 800 minutes and it had been almost five years since his last open-air goal in either competition.The contrast with his overall record remains striking. Ronaldo scored in both the semi-finals and final as Portugal won the UEFA Nations League last summer and continues to score regularly in club football and qualifiers. However, at the highest international level, goals have become increasingly difficult to find.There is no doubt what Ronaldo has achieved for Portugal. His influence helped win major international trophies and countless memorable moments over two decades.Still, the reality of 2026 is becoming harder to ignore.
Portugal with vs without Ronaldo
The figures surrounding Portugal’s attack are equally revealing. In Portugal’s last four games at major tournaments, Ronaldo has played 396 of a possible 420 minutes, but the team has scored just once. Over the past two years in all competitions, Portugal have averaged 1.9 goals per game when Ronaldo started, compared to 2.8 goals per game when he didn’t. While one stat alone doesn’t tell the whole story, it inevitably prompts debate about whether Portugal’s attack functions more effectively without its captain.
When Ronaldo scores, Portugal rarely lose
However, Ronaldo fans can point to another compelling statistic. Since their first World Cup appearance in 2006, Portugal have a record of five wins, one draw and no defeats at major tournaments when Ronaldo scores. When he fails to hit the net, that record drops to five wins, five draws and seven losses. Few players in international football history have had such a direct correlation with their team’s success.However, it is far easier to argue its rejection than to execute it.Roberto MartÃnez faces a delicate balancing act. Gonçalo Ramos remains the obvious alternative, but relies heavily on the serve. A false nine system involving Bruno Fernandes or João Félix could provide more fluidity, but would introduce new tactical questions.There is also a psychological dimension. Few managers would willingly bench one of the greatest footballers in history, especially a player who still commands enormous respect in the dressing room.Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle.Ronaldo’s experience, leadership and finishing instincts continue to be valuable assets. However, asking him to carry Portugal’s attack for 90 minutes against elite opposition seems increasingly unrealistic. A more carefully managed role, potentially as a substitute for performance against tired defenders, could allow Portugal to exploit his strengths while minimizing his physical limitations.
From Germany in 2006 to the USA in 2026
The concern for Portugal is that there appears to be no real plan B. MartÃnez has consistently backed Ronaldo even as questions about his role have grown louder. During Euro 2024, the Portuguese coach replaced him in just one of his five appearances. Against DR Congo, creative players including Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha all withdrew, but Ronaldo remained on the pitch. Even when Gonçalo Ramos was introduced in the finale, he was the midfielder who made the way, not the captain.The upcoming match against Uzbekistan could now define both the Portugal tournament and Ronaldo’s role in it.A strong performance and a goal could temporarily silence the debate, as Ronaldo has done countless times before. Another ineffective display, however, will only intensify scrutiny of MartÃnez’s decisions and Portugal’s dependence on a player who remains legendary but no longer seems untouchable.For years, the question of whether Portugal could win because of Cristiano Ronaldo has been raised.In 2026, the more vexing question may be whether Portugal can afford not to progress beyond him.
