Youri Djorkaeff claims Portugal boycotted Cristiano Ronaldo at 2026 World Cup

Former French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff said Portugal’s national team “boycotted” Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He told RMC that the side did not build its play around the veteran striker and failed to put him in the best conditions, stating, “If you take Cristiano Ronaldo, the team has to play for him, and that didn’t happen at all.”

Portugal were knocked out in the round of 16, losing 1‑0 to Spain. Ronaldo, aged 41 and likely playing his final World Cup, scored three goals in the tournament – two in a 5‑0 group‑stage win over Uzbekistan and one from the penalty spot in a 2‑1 victory over Croatia. Djorkaeff added that other players, such as Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, also needed to assume responsibility.