Portugal opened the 2026 World Cup with a 1‑1 draw against Congo DR, and a limp 41‑year‑old Cristiano Ronaldo sparked fresh debate over his starter status. Coach Roberto Martinez kept the veteran on the pitch despite three shots and no threat on target. The performance extended a tournament drought dating back to June 2021, reviving questions first raised in Qatar.

Martinez defends the choice with raw numbers. Ronaldo finished last season with 30 goals in 37 games for Al Nassr, followed by 35 in 41 the previous campaign, and he netted 25 times in 30 national‑team outings, including the Nations League final against Spain. Critics argue the Saudi league’s lower standard inflates those figures, but the coach stresses pure goal output.

Teammates acknowledge the distraction. Full‑back Diogo Dalot said the squad prepared for “Ronaldo moments” before the tournament, hoping an early controversy would be buried. Yet former stars Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes dismissed the veteran, urging the team to prioritize collective scoring. Portugal faces Uzbekistan in Houston in the group stage today, and a goal from Ronaldo could finally quiet the debate.