The question of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup can no longer escape

For more than two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has built a career on proving people wrong.Every time critics questioned him, he answered with goals. Every time there were doubts about his longevity, he produced another record. From Manchester to Madrid, Turin to Riyadh and during an extraordinary international career with Portugal, Ronaldo has repeatedly rewritten expectations.But after Portugal’s frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the debate that has dragged on for years has returned with renewed intensity.At 41, Ronaldo 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 Mbappé and Erling Haaland scored multiple goals to help their nations to convincing victories, Ronaldo went the full 90 minutes against DR Congo without making a decisive impact.Portugal got off to a great start. João Neves headed home the early opener after a dominant opening spell in which Roberto Martínez’s side almost completely controlled possession. Portugal’s dominance during the opening stages was overwhelming. In the six-minute sequence leading up to Neves’ goal, Martínez’s side completed 84 passes compared to just 12 by DR Congo. Yet what looked like the start of a comfortable win gradually turned into a much more uncomfortable afternoon.DR Congo settled into the match, grew in confidence and finally found an equalizer before half-time through Yoane Wiss.

Match statistics Portugal vs DR Congo

By the final whistle, the statistics painted an unpleasant picture for one of the favorites of the tournament. Despite enjoying most of the possession, Portugal were second best in several key attacking metrics. DR Congo finished with eight shots to Portugal’s seven, taking two shots on target compared to Portugal and creating 0.82 expected goals against Portugal’s 0.64. For a team that was expected to struggle in the tournament, the numbers raised uncomfortable questions.Ronaldo’s individual numbers reflected that struggle.In his sixth World Cup appearance, the veteran finished with just 25 touches, the second fewest ever in a World Cup start. He managed just three shot attempts, created no chances, completed two advance runs and two advance passes, won two aerial challenges, attempted no ground challenges and managed just one recovery. He also offered virtually no defensive contribution. It was one of the least influential World Cup performances of his career.

Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy

Perhaps even more worrying was how the Portuguese attack worked around him.Ronaldo repeatedly drifted away from central areas in search of involvement. At times he moved wide and looked for space as he could no longer consistently gain physical advantages against younger defenders. As a result, Portugal often lacked a natural target inside the penalty area when crosses were coming.His first attempt on goal didn’t come until the 68th minute. Not one of his shots troubled the Congolese defence. In fact, 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 was among those to analyze Portugal’s attacking problems, pointing to a particular moment involving João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo.After the match, Henry emphasized that team success must come before personal ambition.“One thing is important, guys, please at home: the team needs to score, not you,” he said.Henry then broke down a sequence where he felt Ronaldo’s movement was working against Portugal rather than for them.“So of course we’ll see that Portugal will be on the ball, Cancelo will get the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in that situation a few times. If you do that here, you – you – make the defender decide to break the six-yard box.”According to Henry, a run towards goal would draw the defenders deeper and potentially create space for Bruno Fernandes to finish.“But because he wants to score, he goes into the path 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 be a pass for Bruno Fernandes. But because he wants to score, he goes into the path of the back pass. You see both players and it’s easier to defend.”It wasn’t just that Ronaldo couldn’t score. It was how little he affected Portugal’s attacking rhythm. Too often the attacks seemed designed to find him regardless of whether there was a better option. When he dipped deeper, he often occupied spaces that could otherwise have been used by Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva or João Neves. While he occasionally created space for teammates with his movement, Portugal rarely looked fluid in the final third.The problem becomes even more pronounced as Ronaldo no longer compensates for those tactical compromises with goals in football’s biggest tournaments.

Dryness that won’t go away

Since converting a penalty against Ghana during the 2022 World Cup, he has gone ten consecutive matches at World Cups and European Championships without finding the net. The drought stretched over 800 minutes and almost five years had passed since his last goal in open play in either competition.The contrast with his overall record remains striking. Ronaldo scored in both the semi-final and final as Portugal lifted the UEFA Nations League last summer and continues to score regularly in club football and qualifiers. However, goals are becoming increasingly difficult to find at the highest international level.There is no doubting what Ronaldo has done for Portugal. His influence helped bring major international trophies and countless memorable moments over two decades.However, the reality of 2026 is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Portugal with vs without Ronaldo

The numbers 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, 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 when he doesn’t. While one stat alone doesn’t tell the whole story, it inevitably fuels the debate over whether Portugal’s attack operates more effectively without its captain.

Portugal rarely lose when Ronaldo scores

However, Ronaldo supporters 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 has scored. If he fails to find the net, that record drops to five wins, five draws and seven defeats. Few players in international football history have had such a direct link to their team’s success.Still, it is much easier to discuss him than to execute him.Roberto Martínez 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 bring new tactical questions.There is also a psychological dimension. Few managers are willing to field one of the greatest footballers in history, especially one who still commands huge respect in the dressing room.Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle.Ronaldo’s experience, leadership and finishing instincts remain valuable assets. But asking him to lead Portugal’s attack for 90 minutes against elite opposition seems increasingly unrealistic. A carefully managed role, potentially as a substitute against tiring defenders, could allow Portugal to capitalize on his strengths while minimizing his physical limitations.

From Germany 2006 to USA 2026

Portugal’s concern is that there appears to be no real plan B. Martínez has consistently supported Ronaldo even as questions about his role have mounted. During Euro 2024, the Portuguese coach replaced him in only one of his five appearances. Against DR Congo, creative players such as Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha were all withdrawn but Ronaldo remained on the pitch. Although Gonçalo Ramos was introduced in the closing stages, he was more of a midfielder than a captain.The upcoming game against Uzbekistan may now define both Portugal’s 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. Yet another ineffective display will only increase the scrutiny of Martínez’s decisions and Portugal’s reliance on a player who remains legendary but no longer seems untouchable.The question surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo has been for years whether Portugal could win because of him.In 2026, the more vexing question may be whether Portugal can afford not to develop beyond him.