Author: Gabby

Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has shared his thoughts following his team’s 1-1 stalemate against DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The encounter took place on Wednesday in Houston, Texas.

The 41-year-old forward played the entire game but struggled to make an impact, managing only two weak shots as Portugal failed to secure a win. The draw came as a disappointing start for the European side.

Joao Neves gave Portugal the lead, but Yohan Wissa equalized for DR Congo with a header just before halftime. Despite the setback, Ronaldo remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the tournament.

Taking to social media, Ronaldo wrote: “It’s not the start we wanted, but this is FAR from being over. Focus on the next game.” The message came after the match, emphasizing the need to move forward.

Portugal’s next group stage fixture is against Uzbekistan, scheduled for next Tuesday. The team will look to bounce back and secure a victory to keep their campaign on track.

Gael Clichy, a former Arsenal defender, has voiced his opinion that Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in Portugal’s starting lineup might be detrimental to the team’s performance. This comes after a surprising 1-1 draw against DR Congo in Portugal’s opening World Cup match.

Portugal entered the tournament as one of the favorites, but they struggled against the underdogs. Joao Neves gave them an early lead with a header in the 7th minute, but they failed to build on it. DR Congo equalized through a header from Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa, marking their first goal in a World Cup.

Ronaldo, at 41, equaled Lionel Messi’s record of appearing in six World Cups but missed the chance to become the first player to score in six different editions. Clichy believes that Ronaldo’s presence disrupts Portugal’s natural flow. He argued on BBC One that while Ronaldo can mentor younger players, he also draws too much attention, preventing others from stepping up.

Clichy further suggested that without Ronaldo, Portugal might link up better in midfield instead of constantly trying to get the ball to him out wide. He praised DR Congo’s performance, saying they could have even won the match. Clichy also hinted that manager Roberto Martinez faces tough decisions regarding the team’s lineup.

Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has expressed strong criticism of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez for not substituting Cristiano Ronaldo during their opening World Cup 2026 match against DR Congo. The game ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw, with Ronaldo failing to make any notable contribution over the full 90 minutes.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino argued that the 41-year-old forward showed clear signs of decline, lacking both pace and energy. He noted that Ronaldo was once known for his explosive dribbling and direct runs at defenders, but that version of the player is now a distant memory. Cascarino stated that Ronaldo offered nothing to the team and questioned Martinez’s decision to keep him on the pitch.

According to Cascarino, the manager’s loyalty to the star player may be clouding his judgment, especially given that Martinez is set to leave his role after the tournament. He suggested that Martinez appeared more concerned with maintaining a friendship with Ronaldo than making tactical decisions that would give Portugal the best chance of winning. Cascarino emphasized that a manager must be willing to make tough calls, including substituting iconic players, if it improves the team’s performance.

Portugal entered the tournament as one of the favorites, but their lackluster start has raised questions about the team’s form and Ronaldo’s role in the squad. Many fans and pundits expected more from the Selecao, especially after Ronaldo failed to influence the game against a determined DR Congo side.

Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United star, didn’t hold back his thoughts on Portugal’s lackluster performance against DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup. However, he made it clear that Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t to blame for the team’s struggles.

According to Rooney, the 41-year-old Ronaldo remains a lethal finisher when given proper service. He pointed out that the team’s failure to create chances was the real issue, not the veteran striker’s age or form.

Portugal entered the tournament as one of the favorites, but their opening match was a disappointment. Joao Neves scored an early header, raising hopes of a comfortable win, but DR Congo equalized through Yoane Wissa’s header—their first ever World Cup goal.

Ronaldo, playing in his sixth World Cup, matched Lionel Messi’s record for appearances but couldn’t find the back of the net. He missed the chance to become the first player to score in six different tournaments.

Speaking on BBC One, Rooney said, ‘The first group game is huge, and Portugal didn’t show enough energy or urgency. I wanted to see more players running beyond Ronaldo. The stats over the last few years don’t matter. If Ronaldo gets a good chance, he’ll score.’

Rooney’s comments highlight a growing narrative: Portugal’s struggles are systemic, not individual. With Ronaldo still capable of delivering, the team needs to step up their game to avoid an early exit.

Toni Kroos, the former Real Madrid star, has shed light on why Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a key figure in Portugal’s lineup at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Kroos, the veteran forward’s place in the team is well-deserved, not just because of his iconic status but due to his enduring quality as a striker.

At 41, Ronaldo started Portugal’s match against DR Congo on Wednesday, June 17, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, the Al-Nassr forward had a limited impact, recording only 25 touches and five inside the penalty area. However, Kroos insists that Ronaldo’s inclusion is based on merit.

Kroos, who played alongside Ronaldo for four seasons at Real Madrid, stated that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still Portugal’s best attacking option in the box. “Ronaldo is not playing just because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo; it’s because he remains their top attacker in the area,” Kroos said, as quoted by Madrid Xtra.

Ronaldo’s longevity in the national team is remarkable: he has earned 229 caps over 23 years, making him the most-capped footballer in history. He also holds the record for most international goals, with 143 strikes for Portugal. Despite criticism over his recent performances, Kroos believes his former teammate’s presence is vital for the team.

Former England international Chris Sutton has voiced strong criticism regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the Portuguese national team following their underwhelming start to the 2026 World Cup. Speaking on talkSPORT, Sutton described Portugal’s performance as ‘flat’ and ‘painful’ after they were held to a 1-1 draw by debutants DR Congo.

Portugal, considered by many as one of the tournament favorites, struggled to impose themselves against the underdogs. Joao Neves gave them an early lead with a header in the seventh minute, but they failed to build on that advantage. DR Congo equalized through a header from Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa, scoring their first-ever World Cup goal.

Sutton, a former Chelsea striker, did not hold back in his assessment of manager Roberto Martinez. ‘I don’t understand some of his management,’ Sutton said. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery, and the game passed him by. Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager. He is not the manager of the Portugal team, and that is their issue.’

Ronaldo, who was hoping to become the first player to score in six different World Cups, failed to make a significant impact. Sutton’s comments highlight growing concerns over Portugal’s tactical approach and the reliance on the veteran forward.

Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, has called for introspection after his team was held to a draw by World Cup debutants DR Congo. The stalemate saw Cristiano Ronaldo fail to add to his international goal tally, raising early questions about Portugal’s attacking potency.

Despite fielding a star-studded lineup, the Selecao could not secure victory. Martinez remained calm but candid in his post-match assessment, telling reporters via Tribal Football: “We certainly need to get better. Honest self-evaluation is crucial. Our duty now is to analyze this performance, be critical of ourselves, and move forward. The World Cup demands resilience.”

The match began promisingly for Portugal, with Joao Neves scoring in the sixth minute to give them an early advantage. However, DR Congo responded through Yoane Wissa, who netted his nation’s first-ever World Cup goal to level the score before halftime.

Martinez drew parallels with past champions who started slowly, citing examples like Argentina and Spain, who overcame early setbacks to lift the trophy. He stressed that one disappointing result does not define a campaign.

Portugal’s next assignment sees them face Uzbekistan in Houston on June 23, with Ronaldo captaining the side. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be keen to silence skeptics and help Portugal rebound from this setback.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant setback for the entire nation. The Napoli star, currently on loan at Galatasaray, expressed his frustration during a live social media session, emphasizing that the absence stings not just for him but for every player in the squad.

The 2026 World Cup is already underway, with African representatives including Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Tunisia, South Africa, and Algeria. Nigeria, however, is conspicuously absent after losing their playoff tie against DR Congo. Osimhen noted that watching the tournament unfold without the Super Eagles is painful, stating, “It’s bad, not just for me but for the rest of the guys.”

This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria has missed, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition. Reflecting on the disappointment, Osimhen called for resilience: “We have missed out twice in a row. Sometimes life happens, so we just have to keep moving.” The striker urged fans to stay hopeful and support the team as they aim to bounce back stronger in future qualifiers.