Portugal is doomed to failure with Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup, according to the former Chelsea player.

Portugal is doomed to failure with Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup, according to the former Chelsea player. Craig Burley, a former Chelsea player, has stated that Portugal will not be

 

 

 

 

able to compete or win the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo as their captain. He stated that the evidence has demonstrated that Ronaldo is no longer capable of performing at the same level, and that manager Roberto Martinez must muster the fortitude to remove the 40-year-old forward. Portugal’s victory over Denmark in the quarter-finals this weekend enabled them to advance to the

 

 

 

 

 

UEFA Nations League semi-finals on Sunday night. In the first leg against the Danish, Roberto Martinez’s team was defeated 1-0, and Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to establish a presence. However, Portugal emerged victorious over Denmark with a score of 5-2 in the second leg. The Al-Nassr captain squandered a penalty in the opening five minutes, squandering a golden opportunity to bring Portugal even on aggregate.

 

 

 

 

 

Nevertheless, he was able to rectify himself by scoring Portugal’s second goal of the evening with an exceptional second-half strike. Burley expressed his uncertainty regarding the 40-year-old’s ability to serve as Portugal’s starting midfielder at the 2026 World Cup in an interview with ESPN. He stated, “It is remarkable to be continuing at this age.”

 

 

 

 

However, will a 41-year-old be able to lead the line for one of the most talented teams in the 2026 World Cup?In light of the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Euros, we had evidence that he is no longer capable of performing at this level. “It is possible that you could place him on the bench; however, this would place additional pressure on the manager to justify his decision not to play Ronaldo.”

 

 

 

 

 

I believe it is a lack of discernment on the part of Roberto Martinez to continue to select him. “Even if he scores the occasional goal, which he does, there is a body of evidence that suggests that in the last two major tournaments, he was either dropped or struggled. This is not a fabrication.”