Scholes labels Ronaldo a problem for Portugal after World Cup draw
Paul Scholes has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo has become “a little bit of a problem” for Portugal, emphasizing that it is “not right” for the forward to continue leading the side at 41 years old. His comments followed Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening World Cup match, reports BritPanorama.
Despite a historic match in Houston—where Ronaldo matched Lionel Messi’s record of appearing in six World Cups—the evening proved frustrating for the Al-Nassr forward, who struggled to make an impact. Portugal had an early lead thanks to Joao Neves but could not capitalize further, conceding a goal to Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa before halftime.
Ronaldo’s performance was notably below par, as he registered no shots, created no chances, and failed to win any duels during the match. He remained on the pitch until the end, while manager Roberto Martinez substituted other attacking players instead.
Scholes expressed sympathy for Martinez, revealing he had previously questioned the manager about Ronaldo’s presence in the line-up. “I think it’s difficult for the manager,” Scholes remarked on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. He suggested that at 41 years of age, there should only be one position on the pitch for a player starting a game: goalkeeper.
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s potential to score goals in a possession-heavy team, Scholes warned that Portugal may struggle during more open matches due to Ronaldo’s age and movement. “He is going to score goals and he’s in a team that have a lot of possession, but once there’s a game where it has to be transition… his movement at 41 years of age…” he added.
Butt echoed Scholes’ concerns, describing Ronaldo’s role as an ongoing challenge for Martinez. “For me, he has to be a player for the last 15 minutes. For a 40 or 41-year-old to be playing centre-forward, I just don’t get it.” He noted the lack of a strong centre-forward option for Portugal, complicating the team’s reliance on Ronaldo.
After witnessing Ronaldo’s struggle, Scholes speculated that the veteran may have felt challenged by other forwards’ performances in the tournament, particularly Messi’s hat-trick and Kylian Mbappé’s two goals for France. Meanwhile, Butt highlighted the significant fan support for Ronaldo, suggesting the pressure on the manager is intensified by public sentiment.
Responding to the disappointing start, Ronaldo addressed supporters on Instagram, stating, “Not the start we wanted. But this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game.” Martinez defended his captain post-match, asserting that Ronaldo’s experience is essential in challenging situations. “It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” he defended.
The discourse surrounding Ronaldo’s role reflects broader themes of age and effectiveness in sports, balancing between nostalgia for past glories and the harsh realities of declining physical capabilities. As Portugal looks ahead to its next matches, the team dynamics surrounding its veteran star will warrant close observation.
