41-Year-Old Ronaldo’s Goalless Streak Hits 10 Games — and Now a Pundit Is Questioning His Manager

Cristiano Ronaldo touched the ball just 25 times in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo on Wednesday. That’s the fewest touches he’s ever registered in a full 90-minute game at a major tournament for his country. And for a 41-year-old who has now gone 10 straight matches without scoring in major competitions, those numbers are starting to turn heads — not just in the stands, but inside the broadcast booth.

Portugal opened its 2026 World Cup campaign at Houston Stadium with a dream start. Joao Neves, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, rose highest to head Pedro Neto’s cross into the net. But the African side answered before halftime. Newcastle striker Yoanne Wissa thumped a header home, scoring DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal.

After the final whistle, the conversation wasn’t about Neves or Wissa. It was about Ronaldo — and more specifically, about manager Roberto Martinez’s handling of him.

Chris Sutton, speaking on the BBC, didn’t pull punches. “Roberto Martinez, I don’t understand some of his management. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery, and the game passed him by. Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager. He is not the manager of the Portugal team, and that is their issue.”

The Ronaldo Dilemma Is Real

Dropping Ronaldo isn’t simple. He remains Portugal’s most prolific and influential player, and benching him could cost Martinez control of the dressing room. But the numbers paint a complicated picture.

His natural replacement, Goncalo Ramos, has just one goal in his last 11 international appearances. Ramos also scored only 12 goals for PSG last season — not exactly a stat that screams “undroppable.”

Rather than sideline the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Martinez may need more from his supporting cast. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Neves all turned in elite club performances last season. If Portugal wants to make a deep World Cup run, those three will need to carry more of the load — with or without Ronaldo scoring.

Ronaldo’s 25 touches against DR Congo are the lowest he’s ever posted in a full match at a World Cup, European Championship, or Nations League finals for Portugal. At 41, the legs aren’t what they were. But the question Martinez faces isn’t just about age — it’s about whether the system can still work around a player who demands the ball but isn’t getting involved.

Wednesday’s draw was a wake-up call. How Martinez responds will define Portugal’s tournament.