Cristiano Ronaldo faces criticism as Portugal draws with DR Congo

Portugal's national football team faced criticism after a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo, a match where an expected victory failed to materialize. The team took an early 1-0 lead through Neves in the sixth minute, but DR Congo equalized just before halftime, and the score remained unchanged.

Despite the setback, Portugal is still considered the favorite in Group K, with upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia. However, the team's internal situation is far from ideal, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo bearing the brunt of criticism. Ronaldo, a legend of the sport, is facing increasing pressure and public "mockery" as his physical capabilities wane with age.

Former Ghana striker Kevin-Prince Boateng shared his critical view on Australian television, suggesting that if Ronaldo were a true team player, he would step aside to let younger talent develop. Boateng argued that Portugal is a stronger team without Ronaldo as the central focus, as players tend to pass to him excessively, hindering the team's overall flow. He believes Ronaldo should consider playing only the final 15-20 minutes of matches to allow others to shine.

This World Cup is widely expected to be Ronaldo's last, and while he entered with enthusiasm, the team's performance has not met expectations. The draw with DR Congo leaves room for improvement, and the decisions of coach Roberto Martinez will be crucial in shaping Portugal's path forward in the tournament.

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Bili smo njegovi veliki navijači. Ali, ako Portugal želi imati šansu daleko dogurati, vjerujem da bi se Ronaldo trebao povući, pustiti druge da igraju i ući u posljednjih 15-20 minuta. Jer, na kraju krajeva, svi ćemo mi doći u godine kad više ne možemo igrati na toj razini. A te su godine za njega stigle, moramo toga biti iskreni.