'He's never going to be Lionel Messi!' - Cristiano Ronaldo a 'hindrance' to Portugal as Roberto Martinez urged to make World Cup bench call
After Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup, Jay Bothroyd criticized Cristiano Ronaldo's performance, suggesting he should consider a bench role to benefit the team.
Cristiano Ronaldo has faced criticism following Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their first match of the 2026 World Cup. Former England striker Jay Bothroyd expressed the view that the experienced forward is becoming a hindrance to the team, while coach Roberto Martinez continues to support his captain despite the mounting scrutiny.
Portugal's World Cup journey began on a disappointing note as they were held to a draw by DR Congo in Houston. Joao Neves scored early for Portugal, but Yoane Wissa equalized for the African side before halftime, leaving the match level at one goal each.
This result places Portugal under pressure in Group K, with more challenging matches ahead. The draw has reignited discussions regarding Ronaldo's role, particularly as he struggled to make a significant impact during the game. The Al-Nassr forward, who is participating in a record-extending sixth World Cup, did not manage to register a shot on target and missed two clear opportunities that could have secured a win for his team.
Jay Bothroyd provided a strong critique of Ronaldo's performance while appearing on Sky Sports. He suggested that Portugal might be better off if Ronaldo accepted a role on the bench and contributed as a substitute. Bothroyd stated, "If Ronaldo is a team player, I think he should step down and understand that he has to be a player that comes off the bench as an impact player. Is he ever going to do that? Nope, I don’t think he is. And that’s my point."
Bothroyd also questioned Ronaldo's ongoing comparisons to Lionel Messi, implying that it was disrupting Portugal's team dynamics. He remarked, "It looks like it’s all about him, yeah? And he’s always chasing Messi all the time. He’s never going to be Messi, but what he has throughout his career, he’s made the absolute most out of his career… But right now he’s becoming more of a hindrance for Portugal than help, and I think that’s where Martinez is going wrong."
Despite the external criticism, Martinez has not indicated any intention to alter his approach. He defended his choice to keep Ronaldo on the pitch during the match against DR Congo, emphasizing the value of the forward's experience in crucial moments. Martinez stated, "It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals. For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way that we can use the space is important. And every player has a responsibility or a piece of quality on the pitch. And clearly when you look for goals, you need to have Cristiano."
As Portugal prepares for their next Group K match against Uzbekistan, they are aware that another poor performance could significantly jeopardize their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. The pressure is likely to increase on Martinez to strike the right balance in the attacking unit if results do not improve. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has remained optimistic, reassuring fans on social media that the tournament is "far from over" despite the disappointing start.
