Ronaldinho in check: Criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in the 2026 World Cup debut
Paulo Barbosa, Cristiano Ronaldo's agent, criticized the player's performance in Portugal's debut at the 2026 World Cup, stating that the team played with practically ten players.
After an unexpected 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the group's debut at the 2026 World Cup, criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo's performance began to emerge. The star's agent, Paulo Barbosa, did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with the striker's performance, who played the 90 minutes without contributing goals or assists.
"The game against D.R. Congo showed that Cristiano Ronaldo is not in a position to play a full match. In fact, we were playing with ten players. The coach needs to understand his decisions. We have other players in better conditions who could take his place", said Barbosa in an interview with journalist Eгор Кабак.
This statement reflects the growing concern about Ronaldo's fitness, especially in a tournament as demanding as the World Cup. The expectation now is whether Portugal's coach, Fernando Santos, will make changes to the lineup for the next games, considering the star's performance on the field.
---
Related Articles
1. [2026 FIFA 월드컵: 가나, 파나마를 제치고 마지막 순간에 승리](https://taegeukgoal.com/ko/news/2026-fifa-12) 2. [로마노 슈미트, 2026 FIFA 월드컵에서 오스트리아의 첫 골 기록](https://taegeukgoal.com/ko/news/2026-fifa-11)