Cristiano Ronaldo’s position in the Portugal national side has once again become a major topic of debate after a disappointing start to their 2026 World Cup journey. Following a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, former Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng suggested that the legendary forward should consider stepping aside for the greater good of the team.

Boateng calls for Ronaldo to be benched

Portugal’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening World Cup fixture reignited the familiar discussion surrounding Ronaldo’s continued inclusion in the starting XI. Although he remains the all-time top scorer in international football, his display in the Group K opener drew widespread criticism from both supporters and analysts.

Boateng, who has represented top European clubs such as AC Milan and Barcelona, offered a candid assessment of the situation. Speaking to SBS Sport, the former Ghana star argued that the 41-year-old icon now disrupts the team’s attacking rhythm and should take on a smaller role if Portugal are to perform at their best.

‘A better team without him’

Boateng claimed that Ronaldo’s influence on the pitch creates an imbalanced tactical environment, as teammates feel compelled to feed him the ball constantly. “Can I be honest? If Ronaldo truly cared about the team, he would step aside and allow the younger players to express themselves,” Boateng said during his television appearance, pointing out the pressure Ronaldo’s presence puts on the squad.

He went on to explain why Portugal might actually thrive without their captain, stating: “Portugal are a better team without him. There’s too much pressure when he’s at the centre, because everyone wants to pass to him.” His remarks recalled similar debates from Qatar 2022, when Portugal delivered one of their most fluid attacking performances with Ronaldo starting on the bench against Switzerland.

The impact substitute option

Despite his forthright criticism, Boateng made it clear that he remains a “huge admirer” of Ronaldo’s achievements. However, he believes that age has caught up with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and that coach Roberto Martinez must manage his minutes wisely if Portugal are to progress deep into the tournament across North America.

“If Portugal want to go far, Ronaldo should step aside. Let the others play, and then bring him on for the final 15-20 minutes to make the difference,” Boateng advised. He emphasised that the veteran striker “is not the same player anymore” because of the natural effects of ageing.

Ronaldo’s struggles in record-breaking appearance

In what was a historic moment, Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days. However, his performance against DR Congo was subdued. Data from Opta revealed that he managed only 25 touches during the full 90 minutes – the fewest he has recorded in any major tournament game where he played the entire match. Moreover, it marked the sixth time in his World Cup career that he finished a game without a single shot on target.

Even with the criticism mounting and his subdued display, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez was quick to defend his captain. Ronaldo is still expected to start when Portugal face Uzbekistan in their second group match.

Can Portugal go the distance at the World Cup?