Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after a difficult opening match at the 2026 World Cup, delivering a determined message amid increasing calls for him to lose his place in Portugal’s starting lineup.
Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo, with Ronaldo enduring a frustrating evening in which he recorded only 25 touches. The disappointing performance reignited debate over whether the 41-year-old should continue to lead the attack for his national team.
According to Metro, Ronaldo’s run without a goal at major international tournaments has now reached 10 matches. During that period, he has taken 33 shots and placed 11 on target but has been unable to score.
In response to the criticism, Ronaldo posted a message on Instagram urging the team to remain positive and concentrate on the matches ahead. He admitted the result was not what Portugal had hoped for but stressed that there was still plenty of football left to play in the tournament.
The statement was widely viewed as a reaction to mounting pressure on both Ronaldo and manager Roberto Martinez, who has faced questions about his continued reliance on the experienced forward.
After the match, DR Congo midfielder Ngal Ayel Mukau explained that his side did not implement any special strategy to neutralize Ronaldo. While acknowledging that the Portuguese star is no longer the player he once was, Mukau emphasized that he still deserves immense respect for his achievements and status in the game.
His remarks intensified discussion among fans and analysts, many of whom have begun to wonder whether Portugal would benefit from a different attacking approach.
Despite the criticism, Martinez remains fully supportive of Ronaldo. The Portuguese coach insisted that it would have been illogical to remove one of football’s greatest goalscorers when the team was searching for a breakthrough.
Martinez also pointed to Ronaldo’s experience, intelligent positioning, and ability to occupy defenders as qualities that continue to create opportunities for his teammates. He argued that these contributions remain important even when the striker is not scoring.
Looking ahead, Martinez made it clear that Ronaldo remains central to Portugal’s plans and reiterated that the veteran forward’s presence will continue to play a key role in the team’s pursuit of World Cup success.
