As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with a flurry of brilliance from global superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, all eyes turned to Houston for Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic bow. Yet, for the 41-year-old Portuguese icon, the occasion resulted in a frustrating 1-1 draw against a disciplined DR Congo side. While the match marked a milestone—Ronaldo becoming the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup game—the performance has raised uncomfortable questions about his current utility to the national team.
The historical weight of the day was undeniable. By stepping onto the pitch, Ronaldo joined his eternal rival, Lionel Messi, as the only men to feature in six separate World Cup tournaments. However, where Messi’s opening appearance for Argentina saw him fire a stunning hat-trick against Algeria, Ronaldo looked like a shadow of his former self. Despite Portugal dominating possession, the striker appeared disconnected, struggling to adapt to the role of a traditional target man against a compact Congolese defense.
Statistically, the afternoon was jarring. Ronaldo managed just 25 touches throughout the contest—the lowest of any Portuguese starter and significantly fewer than his counterpart, Yoane Wissa, who netted the equalizer for DR Congo. With 17 of his 22 attempted passes directed backward and three shots failing to hit the target, the veteran forward struggled to find any rhythm. His inability to convert two clear-cut second-half opportunities served as a grim continuation of the profligacy he displayed during Portugal’s final warm-up match against Nigeria.
The broader context of his international career is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring in a major tournament, with his last open-play goal at this level dating back to Euro 2020. Since scoring a penalty against Ghana in Qatar 2022, he has struggled to exert influence on the world stage. As he chases the elusive goal that would make him the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments, his lack of impact is putting pressure on manager Roberto Martinez.
Despite the criticism, Martinez remains steadfast in his public support of the veteran. During the post-match press conference, the manager deflected blame away from his captain, arguing that the team failed to provide the necessary service. "The lead attacker needs to be close to the six-yard box, and we need to get the ball to him," Martinez stated. When questioned about his decision not to substitute the struggling star, he added, "It makes no sense to take the best goalscorer in world football out in a game where you need goals."
Looking ahead, the clock is ticking for the Portugal legend. With group stage matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia on the horizon, Ronaldo has two remaining opportunities to etch his name into the history books as a six-time World Cup scorer. However, with the emergence of younger, more dynamic attacking options like Rafael Leão, Martinez faces a tactical dilemma. Portugal’s aspirations of lifting the trophy may depend on whether the manager can balance his loyalty to a legendary figure with the cold, tactical realities of a modern, high-intensity tournament.
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