Cristiano Ronaldo Named Man of the Match Against Croatia Sparks Fan Backlash

The Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought an intense battle between Portugal and Croatia. Both sides matched each other evenly during the first half, keeping fans on edge as neither could break the deadlock.

Early in the second half, Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo quickly responded with a penalty kick, marking his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout stage. The game seemed poised to head towards extra time until Goncalo Ramos delivered a stoppage-time header that sealed Portugal’s victory and their place in the Round of 16 against Spain.

Ronaldo’s Award Triggers Fan Outrage

At 41 years old, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s leading striker and was named man of the match for this crucial win. Yet, many soccer enthusiasts expressed disbelief and frustration over this choice.

Aside from converting a penalty, Ronaldo’s overall performance was seen by many as underwhelming, and he was substituted late in the game when it mattered most. Fans flooded social media with harsh reactions:

“Sorry, but what? What the actual f___ did he do?”

“What nonsense is this!”

“Cristiano Ronaldo winning man of the match is a disgrace to the establishment.”

“Honestly, Costa or Ramos deserved it more in this match.”

“This is not well deserved for real.”

Despite the debate, Ronaldo’s penalty goal was pivotal. Still, players like Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos, and Diogo Costa showed stronger overall contributions throughout the match.