Portugal don start dia 2026 World Cup campaign with 1-1 draw against Congo DR, and the old question wey never die don raise head again: Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, should he still dey start for major tournament? The superstar wey don play for six World Cups no fit score for the opener, and e don throw more fuel for fire wey dey burn since 2022.
Ronaldo performance against Congo DR na limp one. He get 29 touches, three shots, none on target. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry criticize am after he snatch at chance when teammate Bruno Fernandes dey better position. “The team needs to score, not you need to score,” Henry talk. Paul Scholes, former teammate for Manchester United, even say: “I think there’s only one position a 41-year-old player should start on the pitch. And that’s the goalkeeper.”
But coach Roberto Martinez dey stand with Ronaldo. When dem ask am if Ronaldo go start against Uzbekistan for Tuesday, e no give direct answer. “I can’t inform you about the starting 11 because I haven’t informed my players,” e say. Martinez don tire for the question. For Euro 2024, e bin ask reporter: “Do you know how many minutes Cristiano played for Al Nassr last season?” When the reporter say e start every game, Martinez give wry smile: “You have answered your own question.”
Martinez point to Ronaldo numbers. For national team, e score 25 goals for last 30 games. For Al Nassr, 30 goals for 37 games last season, 35 goals for 41 games before that. E be top scorer for 2024-25 Nations League wey Portugal win, wey e score for semifinal against Germany and final against Spain. “Having a player who has 25 goals in the last 30 games for the national team is a gift,” Martinez talk for February.
But detractors say the Saudi Pro League no be top level like Europe. And Ronaldo no score from open play for major tournament since June 2021. For Qatar 2022, e look off pace, and coach Fernando Santos drop am after group games. But Martinez dey keep am. The debate don become big distraction for Portugal, wey get best midfield for World Cup and dey considered genuine contenders.
Defender Diogo Dalot say dem prepare for this. “When you have a squad like this, especially with a player like Cristiano, we have to be prepared, a little more than usual,” e talk. “The fact that we had that pre-World Cup conversation to prepare ourselves for these moments meant that when it actually happened, we were able to send the message that the group is unshakable.”
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro know say Ronaldo dangerous. “We need to be careful when we are in the box because we cannot leave this kind of player alone,” e say. “We need to be very focused on him because Cristiano can score in every situation, free kicks, even in the corner.”
Ronaldo no talk to reporters after Congo DR match, but e post for social media: “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game.” E also post training pictures with caption: “Focused on the mission.”
The truth be say the noise no go stop until Ronaldo start scoring or prove beyond doubt say e dey help rather than hinder the team. Portugal face Uzbekistan for Houston on Tuesday, and if Ronaldo struggle again, the debate go continue to grow.
