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.