Cristiano Ronaldo’s unyielding quest to set new records is now beginning to restrict Portugal’s tactical flexibility at the 2026 World Cup, according to his former Manchester United teammate Louis Saha. The veteran forward has faced strong criticism after a lacklustre display in Portugal’s opening fixture, igniting heated discussions about whether he should continue to start.
Saha urges Portugal to rest Ronaldo
Louis Saha, who once played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford, believes that the Portuguese captain’s intense competitiveness may actually be harming the national team’s prospects in North America. Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo, Saha remarked that the 41-year-old’s ongoing determination to match the performances of younger talents is creating difficulties for manager Roberto Martinez.
Speaking through Casinolyze, Saha said: “Cristiano Ronaldo needs to be saved from himself, because Cristiano will always want to compete with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. He wants to play every minute to break records—that’s his mentality, and we understand that. But he also recognises that Portugal must play at a high tempo. They want to press and keep energy levels at their peak, which will sometimes require rotation.”
He added, “On some occasions, he has been able to adapt to that. His fitness remains impressive, and he has worked extremely hard to maintain his physical condition. I trust that he will respond positively, but there will be matches where he finds it tough.”
Martinez faces criticism for favouritism
The draw in Houston has placed Roberto Martinez under heavy scrutiny, with many questioning his decision not to substitute his captain despite an uninspired showing. Portugal found it difficult to break down their African opponents, and critics accused Martinez of favouring his personal rapport with the Al-Nassr striker over the collective needs of the squad.
Saha suggested that a rotation approach could be the key to keeping Ronaldo fit and effective for the knockout stages. “The focus on him is challenging for the manager,” Saha explained. “Sometimes Roberto Martinez will face unnecessary questions, and occasionally he will have to leave Cristiano on the bench to ensure he stays fresh for the latter stages of the tournament.”
Thierry Henry criticises Ronaldo’s selfish runs
The scrutiny of Ronaldo’s performances has not been limited to his fitness levels. Arsenal great Thierry Henry sparked widespread debate by analysing how Ronaldo’s movement on the pitch sometimes disrupts team play. During a tactical breakdown of a missed second-half chance, Henry highlighted how the veteran’s instinct to score led him to occupy the same space as Bruno Fernandes, effectively blocking a potential goal-scoring opportunity.
Henry was forthright in his comments, saying: “One thing that’s important, people, please remember: the team needs to score, not you need to score.”
The search for a perfect farewell
Despite these tactical concerns, Saha expressed hope that the iconic rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will reach a fitting conclusion this summer. With Messi already making headlines after netting a hat-trick in his tournament opener, the pressure has intensified on his long-time rival to deliver similarly outstanding performances in the upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Concluding his remarks, Saha said he wishes for Ronaldo to lift the World Cup trophy: “I think the most poetic ending would be for Cristiano Ronaldo to win the World Cup, leaving the debate between Messi and Ronaldo unresolved. That would be wonderful for football fans everywhere—no one wins, no one loses. It would be the perfect ending for the sport.”
How far can Portugal go at the World Cup?
