English football legend Chris Sutton has publicly criticized the perceived influence of Cristiano Ronaldo on the Portuguese national team’s performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The former England striker suggested that Portugal failed to demonstrate its full capabilities due to an excessive dependence on the veteran player. Sutton drew a comparison to a previous major tournament, noting that during the last World Cup, Gonçalo Ramos performed strongly in the round of 16, scoring a hat-trick during a period when the coaching staff opted to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench.
He stated that despite the passage of four years and Ronaldo’s increased age, the team’s performance suggested that his presence negatively impacted their ability to operate at peak levels. The criticism follows Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup after suffering a narrow 0-1 defeat against Spain in the round of 16. Sutton’s comments highlight a recurring debate within international football regarding the balance between featuring established superstars and allowing emerging talent to dictate team strategy.
His analysis suggests that the team structure and performance metrics at this upcoming World Cup must account for squad depth beyond its most famous name.
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