Is Cristiano Ronaldo Slowing Portugal Down?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner barely made an impact during Portugal’s lackluster start at the 2026 World Cup. Despite his legendary status, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a guaranteed starter for Portugal, but his influence seems diminished.
Back in 2025, Ronaldo said he doesn’t "dream" of winning the World Cup and that not winning it won’t define his career. The latter feels true given his storied past. Since his Sporting CP days in 2002, Ronaldo has altered football history. If not for Lionel Messi, his achievements would seem untouchable, much like the tennis rivalry among Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
He has won with Portugal too; the 2016 European Championship remains a landmark for the nation, something even previous golden generations missed. The UEFA Nations League trophy also adds to his national team honors, though some question its prestige.
Signs of Decline Are Clear
Maybe Ronaldo doesn't chase the World Cup because he senses his chance has passed. Watching him against DR Congo in the 2026 opener was almost sad. He spent most of the match just occupying space, touching the ball only 25 times, and failing to threaten the goal. His three shots were all off target, and he created no scoring chances for teammates.
His best moment, a scuffed shot near the post after a cutback from Francisco Conçeicão, might have been better left to Bruno Fernandes who was in a better position.
"Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive major tournament games without scoring for Portugal," tweeted OptaJoe. In those matches, he took 33 shots, 11 on target, but scored zero goals.
This struggle isn’t new. Ronaldo’s World Cup goal record never matched Messi’s. Messi has 16 goals in 27 World Cup appearances; Ronaldo has 8 in 24. It’s been 10 major tournament matches without a goal since he last scored against Ghana in the 2022 World Cup opener. He was benched for knockout games in Qatar by then-coach Fernando Santos.
Though Ronaldo returned to scoring in Euro 2024 qualifiers and the Nations League, he failed to score during Euro 2024 itself despite playing most minutes. At this stage, if he’s not scoring, his contribution drops sharply. He no longer has the explosiveness that once defined him.
Saudi Pro League: A Comfortable Bubble
Since 2023, Ronaldo has played in Saudi Arabia. The league boasts some top teams but overall falls short compared to Europe’s best leagues. While it has prolonged Ronaldo’s career, the level of competition may inflate perceptions of his current ability.
He netted 50 goals for Al Nassr in 2023–24 and 28 goals in 30 league matches in 2025–26, helping secure the Saudi Pro League title. But such performances don’t prepare him well for high-level international contests.
DR Congo, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, showed they aren’t pushovers. Several defenders play in Europe’s elite leagues, and Ronaldo was tightly marked. The quality service from key Portuguese players was often neutralized. Ronaldo’s limited movement makes it harder to shake defenders, especially when the team depends so heavily on him.
What Lies Ahead for Portugal?
It would be a bold move to leave Ronaldo out. Coach Fernando Santos tried it in 2022 but quickly reversed course. Sometimes tough calls must be made, as Spain did with Raúl after the 2006 World Cup. Current manager Roberto Martínez has supported Ronaldo’s selection, but with his tenure ending post-World Cup, maybe change is possible.
Portugal lacks many proven goal-scoring strikers. Gonçalo Ramos, 24, is the only other natural No. 9 in the squad. Once hailed as a rising star who outscored Ronaldo at the last World Cup, Ramos has mostly been a backup at Paris Saint-Germain and saw little action at Euro 2024.
Ramos thrives in fluid systems where he can rotate positions and join buildup play—something Ronaldo rarely does now. Portugal could also try a 'false nine' approach using players like Bernardo Silva, João Félix, or Rafael Leão to create space and variety.
Next up is Uzbekistan, a match Portugal should win to nearly guarantee advancing to the knockout stage before facing Colombia. Yet, with Ronaldo’s current form, will the attack look any sharper than it did against DR Congo?
