Cristiano Ronaldo criticized after Portugal’s World Cup draw

Portugal’s 0‑0 draw in the 2026 World Cup has intensified scrutiny of veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, Ronaldo has now gone ten consecutive major tournaments without scoring for his national team. Former French international Titi Henry warned, “The team needs to score, not you,” while former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović criticised Ronaldo’s positioning, saying he “normally moves from the first post to the second to drag defenders with him.”

The result sparked debate about whether Ronaldo should relinquish the spotlight. Teammate João Neves said, “We all know what Cristiano has done for our team, but now he is just another player helping the squad.” The criticism reflects broader concerns over Portugal’s generational shift and Ronaldo’s lingering role as the primary goal‑scorer.

Ronaldo, who posted a training photo with the caption “Always united,” has faced a wave of harsh comments on social media, ranging from accusations of entitlement to calls for him to adapt to a different role within the squad.