Is Cristiano Ronaldo Slowing Portugal's Progress?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed more like a bystander during Portugal’s underwhelming start at the 2026 World Cup. Despite his legendary status, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a guaranteed starter for his country, even as questions rise about his current impact on the team.
Back in 2025, Ronaldo admitted he didn’t "dream" of winning the World Cup, nor would not winning it define his legacy. That statement rings true when looking at his career—his influence on football since bursting onto the scene with Sporting CP in 2002 is undeniable. Without Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s list of achievements might stand unmatched, much like the tennis rivalry of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
He has had success with Portugal too. The 2016 European Championship marked the nation’s first major international trophy, a feat no previous golden generation managed. Still, the World Cup title seems elusive, and perhaps Ronaldo knows deep down that his opportunity has passed.
A Sad Sight Against DR Congo
Watching Ronaldo in Portugal’s opening group match against DR Congo was a reminder of how far removed from his prime he is. At 41, a self-made billionaire, he could have retired years ago but chose to keep playing.
In the 1–1 draw, which felt like a victory for DR Congo, Ronaldo completed the full match but touched the ball just 25 times. He failed to register any shot until late in the game, all three attempts missing the target. He did not create chances for teammates either. His best chance came from a poor shot that might have been better passed to Bruno Fernandes, who was positioned nearby.
Ronaldo’s Decline Isn’t New
"0 - Cristiano Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive major tournament games without scoring for Portugal (FIFA World Cup/EURO): 33 shots, 11 on target, 0 goals. Drought." – OptaJoe, June 17, 2026
This struggle isn’t recent. Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring record was never spectacular, unlike Messi’s 16 goals in 27 matches. Ronaldo has scored only eight times in 24 appearances.
His goal drought spans 10 major tournament games, covering both the World Cup and European Championship. The last time he found the net was against Ghana in Portugal’s opening match at the 2022 World Cup. After that, Portugal exited in the quarterfinals, and manager Fernando Santos even benched him during knockout stages.
Although he bounced back to score in a Euro 2024 qualifier, his form in major tournaments remains poor. He played nearly every minute at Euro 2024 without scoring. At this point, if Ronaldo isn’t scoring, he contributes little, lacking the explosive energy he once had.
Playing in Saudi Arabia May Not Prepare Him Well
Since 2023, Ronaldo has competed in the Saudi Pro League. While big-name players claim it’s competitive, its overall level lags behind Europe’s top leagues. This environment may have prolonged his career but arguably inflates perceptions of his abilities.
He netted 50 goals for Al Nassr in 2023–24 and 28 league goals in 30 games in 2025–26, finally winning the Saudi Pro League. Yet, facing tougher opponents on the world stage exposes weaknesses. DR Congo’s defense, featuring players from Europe’s top leagues, effectively contained him. Ronaldo’s reduced mobility makes it tough for him to escape tight marking, especially when still expected to lead the attack.
Portugal’s Next Steps
Manager Roberto Martínez, who has supported Ronaldo’s selection, steps down after this World Cup, opening the door for new choices. Benching Ronaldo is a difficult decision but sometimes necessary, as Spain showed when they dropped Raúl after one bad tournament.
Portugal lacks many natural strikers; Gonçalo Ramos, 24, is the only other true No. 9 in the squad. Once seen as a rising star who outscored Ronaldo at the last World Cup, Ramos has since become more of a backup at Paris Saint-Germain and barely featured at Euro 2024.
Ramos might excel in a system allowing position rotation and involvement in build-up play—something Ronaldo can no longer do. Portugal could also try false nine roles with players like Bernardo Silva, João Félix, or Rafael Leão.
After drawing with DR Congo, Portugal faces Uzbekistan next. A win there would almost secure their spot in the knockout phase before a final group match against Colombia. But with Ronaldo struggling, one wonders if Portugal’s attack will look any sharper than it did recently.
