Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has shared a forthright opinion on Cristiano Ronaldo, suggesting that the Portuguese legend’s current approach could be hindering Portugal’s chances at the World Cup. Although Ronaldo continues to lead his country into the knockout stage, the 41-year-old’s displays have divided football experts and ex-professionals.

Group stage inconsistency

Ronaldo’s performances in the 2026 World Cup group stage have been marked by inconsistency. After a disappointing outing in Portugal’s opening draw against DR Congo, the Al-Nassr forward responded emphatically with two goals in a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, confidently declaring that he was “back” to his best. However, another lacklustre showing in the subsequent draw against Colombia reignited the debate over whether his inclusion in the starting XI truly benefits the team.

Forlan: Ronaldo is restricting Portugal’s attacking flow

Speaking on ESPN’s La Casa del Kun show, Forlan – a former Manchester United teammate and the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner – gave his insight as a striker, arguing that Ronaldo’s limited movement makes it too easy for defenders to contain him. While acknowledging Ronaldo’s sharp instincts inside the box, Forlan believes his static role prevents Portugal from stretching defences and creating openings for other attacking players.

“I’m speaking as a striker – the issue is that Cristiano stays central as a No.9. He’s there to capitalise on chances near goal because he doesn’t go out looking for the ball anymore, but that ends up restricting Portugal,” Forlan explained. “It’s one of those situations where you think, ‘I’ll stay here close to goal to score,’ but in reality, you hurt your team because both centre-backs stay in position. You don’t move, so they don’t move either. One marks you, the other covers, and you end up closing off your own space.”

Advice for his former Manchester United teammate

With Portugal boasting creative talents such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao, Forlan believes a small tactical adjustment in Ronaldo’s approach could unleash the full attacking potential of the squad.

Offering advice to his former Old Trafford colleague, Forlan said: “If he drifted a bit wider, others could make runs inside and he could still be involved. That’s where Portugal struggle – they become predictable because everything funnels into one area. It’s not a problem as such, but it’s about helping him understand. Tell him, ‘Move around, get out of that zone so you can open up options.’”

Ronaldo at a career crossroads

As Portugal gear up for the knockout phase, head coach Roberto Martinez faces growing pressure to manage his captain’s tactical role effectively. Ronaldo has demonstrated that he remains capable of scoring, yet the structural issue described by Forlan could become a major obstacle against top-tier opponents who are adept at neutralising predictable attacks. With Portugal set to face Croatia in the round of 32, the team’s quest for ultimate glory may hinge on whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner can adjust his game – shifting from being a static focal point to a more fluid contributor who helps create the spaces his teammates need.