Cristiano Ronaldo is once again in the spotlight, but this time for less desirable reasons, following Portugal’s surprising draw against the modest DR Congo at the World Cup in Houston. Thierry Henry, World Cup champion with France, criticized the performance of the Portuguese captain live on television, pointing to Ronaldo’s selfish attitude in attack. “The team needs to score… it’s not just you who has to score,” Henry remarked, a comment that is already igniting social media and dividing fans.
The match, played on Wednesday night, ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that left Portugal in a delicate situation in a group where they were clearly the favorites. Ronaldo, isolated in attack and visibly frustrated, became the target of harsh criticism, not only for the on-field decisions but also for the management of coach Roberto Martínez, who was called “embarrassing” by Chris Sutton, former England striker and current BBC commentator, for refusing to substitute the Portuguese captain during the second half. According to Sutton, Martínez “is afraid” to take Ronaldo off the pitch, even when the forward’s performance is far from desirable.
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The most scathing analysis, however, came from Thierry Henry, who dissected live for FOX Sports the moment that, in his view, summed up Ronaldo’s game. “One important thing: the team needs to score, it’s not just you who has to score,” Henry emphasized, before detailing the play in which Ronaldo, in seeking a goal for himself, ended up blocking the shooting line of Bruno Fernandes. “Cristiano has been in this situation several times. If he makes that movement into the penalty area, he forces the defender to make a decision. But because he wants to score, he gets in the way of Bruno Fernandes. If he had gone into the penalty area, the defender would have had to follow him, leaving Bruno with an easy shot. This way, he made everything easier for the defender,” explained the Arsenal legend.
Henry did not hold back in his words and made his point clear: “That’s it: the team needs to score, not you. Bruno Fernandes’ reaction behind… lets it go, makes a run, creates space for me to finish… but that didn’t happen.” The former French international also highlighted that this type of behavior from Ronaldo is not new and harms the collective. The comment did not go unnoticed by Portuguese fans, who quickly divided opinions between those defending the captain’s status and those demanding a more collective approach, less centered on the team’s biggest star.
Ronaldo’s performance in this match reignites the debate about the national team’s dependency on the captain and the courage, or lack thereof, of Roberto Martínez to make unpopular but necessary decisions. Chris Sutton, on BBC Radio 5 Live, was unequivocal: “It’s embarrassing. Martínez is afraid to substitute Ronaldo, even when he is being a spectator on the field.”
This draw could have serious consequences for Portugal’s path in the World Cup, putting additional pressure on the team in the upcoming matches. The lack of offensive effectiveness and the inability to unlock games against theoretically inferior opponents raise legitimate doubts about the tactical approach and Ronaldo’s excessive role in the starting eleven. Many are now questioning whether Martínez will finally have the courage to let go of Ronaldo when the team needs it, or if he will continue to be held hostage by the forward’s historical weight.
The next match for Portugal will be crucial for their aspirations in the competition. The team urgently needs to demonstrate a more collective dynamic and find alternative solutions in attack, or risk jeopardizing their qualification. The debate is on: has the time come for Ronaldo to no longer be untouchable? The answer will inevitably come in the next game, where a response worthy of a title contender is expected.
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