‘Very, very weak’: Rooney, Quaresma hit out at Portugal’s star-studded midfield for Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup final failure

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after the World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Portugal’s exit from the World Cup has fueled increasing scrutiny of what many have described as the best in the country’s history, with Wayne Rooney and Ricardo Quaresma questioning whether the midfield has done enough to get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo in what turns out to be the 41-year-old’s last World Cup. Their criticism followed Portugal’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the round of 16, a result that ended Ronaldo’s trip to the World Cup and shifted focus to a midfield unit of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinho and João Neves that entered the tournament with huge expectations but ended up with a disappointing attacking contribution.

Ronaldo takes a bow after Portugal’s early exit

Portugal came into the tournament heavily tipped as genuine contenders, boasting a squad loaded with established stars and emerging talent. Much of the pre-tournament talk centered on whether Ronaldo, now 41, could still thrive with one of Europe’s most technically gifted midfielders backing him up.Instead, Portugal’s campaign ended with a narrow defeat to Spain in the round of 16, bringing Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance to an emotional close.Ronaldo confirmed before the match that the tournament would be his last.“That’s right, 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 Portugal captain reflected on his international career.“I won three titles for Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won a single title in history. I won Euro 2016, which is like winning the World Cup for me.”“I leave with a clear conscience and having given my best for Portugal.”

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Round of 16 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 for a goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup during this tournament, the statistics behind Portugal’s campaign suggested that he often operated with limited services.

Rooney questions Portugal’s progress

Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney claimed in the BBC’s World Cup coverage that Portugal repeatedly failed to capitalize on Ronaldo’s greatest remaining strength, his movement and finishing inside the penalty area.“If you play with Cristiano Ronaldo, you have to use him,” Rooney said.“The ball could have been thrown into the box here, by Bruno Fernandes. But they reject it there.“When you play it, you have to use it!”“He’s still a big threat for Portugal at set pieces. Don’t play him the ball 30 yards from goal, that’s not his strength anymore. Get him into the box where he’s still effective.”Rooney’s assessment was based on comments he made earlier in the tournament comparing Portugal’s relationship with Ronaldo and Argentina’s commitment to Lionel Messi.“You always put Ronaldo and Messi together because they are two of the best players the game has ever seen.“But the Argentine lads seem to be all for Messi. They’re all behind him. Messi has obviously been fantastic at this World Cup.”“I don’t understand that kind of atmosphere from the Portuguese players.”Rooney also acknowledged that age has naturally changed Ronaldo’s game, with the veteran striker no longer possessing the mobility that defined much of his career.

Quaresma provides an accurate assessment of the Portuguese midfield

Former Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma offered an equally critical assessment after the defeat, questioning both the team’s performances and the widespread belief that this team represented 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 go home with our heads hanging.”Quaresma reserved particular criticism for midfield.“We have great players in midfield, 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 any confidence in me. We need 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 say. I think you could have given much more because you are at a very high level.“I felt you were playing a lot backwards, sideways, not shooting as much at goal… You talked about possession but possession doesn’t win games.

Statistics underline Portugal’s lack of creativity

Criticism from Rooney and Quaresma was reinforced by Portugal’s tournament numbers.Despite 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 was able to register an assist and set up a few openings, his partners Vitinha and João Neves struggled deeply with their creativity and managed very little threat throughout the campaign. This distinct lack of fluid passing 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 soccer 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 remained the best fit for Portugal’s attack. However, after the round of 16 exit, the discussion widened considerably.Rather than placing the onus solely on the experienced striker, Rooney and Quaresma pointed to the mismatch between the Portuguese midfield and centre-forward. For a team built on technical control and possession, they argued, the inability to consistently supply one of football’s best players became one of the defining themes of Ronaldo’s last World Cup.