World champion claims Cristiano Ronaldo was 'boycotted' by Portugal in the 2026 World Cup

Former World Cup champion Youri Djorkaeff has asserted that Cristiano Ronaldo was effectively "boycotted" by the Portuguese national team during the 2026 World Cup. Djorkaeff, a prominent figure in football, stated that Portugal squandered the talent of their star player.

Djorkaeff's comments suggest a belief that Ronaldo's contributions were not adequately leveraged by the team's strategy or coaching staff throughout the tournament. The article implies that this perceived lack of utilization contributed to Portugal's performance and eventual elimination from the competition.

The piece notes Cristiano Ronaldo's visible disappointment following Portugal's exit from the 2026 World Cup, a sentiment that Djorkaeff's statement appears to amplify by attributing blame to the team's internal dynamics rather than solely on on-field performance.

The source of this report is O Globo, a Brazilian newspaper founded in 1925 and part of the Grupo de Diarios América (GDA). The article also credits Fanny Tayver Marín for sports coverage since 2005, specializing in various sports and working for Grupo Nación since 2012.