"Cristiano Ronaldo is a plague on his team" - Pundit blasts Portugal striker after FIFA World Cup draw against DR Congo

× Pundit Daniel Riolo has blasted Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following their 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Roberto Martinez's side had to settle for only a draw against the African side in their opening game of the tournament. Ad Portugal got off to a dream start as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Joao Neves scored the opener in the sixth minute.

DR Congo came up with a brave fight, and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa scored the equalizer in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. Ronaldo looked largely ineffective and isolated up front for Roberto Martinez's side. Pundit Daniel Riolo slammed the 41-year-old following the game and claimed that Portugal seemed to play with 10 men.

He said, as quoted by CentreGoals on X: Ad Trending "Cristiano Ronaldo is a plague on his team... They played with 10 men and a post up front. Messi knows he's at the end of his career...

Ronaldo, he's in his own world. He thinks he's still 25, that he's still at a big club." Cristiano Ronaldo only had 25 touches during the game, and only five of them were inside the opposition box.

He attempted three shots, but none of those was on target. Ad Portugal will be frustrated having drawn their first group stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Colombia securing a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan, the South Americans top Group K table after their first game.

Ronaldo has created history by becoming the oldest outfield player to play in the FIFA World Cup aged 41 years and 132 days. He is also joint-top with Lionel Messi to feature in most World Cups with both representing their respective countries in six World Cups now. Ad Toni Kroos makes big claim on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after their 1-1 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Toni Kroos has claimed that his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo still starts for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup on merit.

He has claimed that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the best striker Roberto Martinez has at his disposal. Ad Kroos has claimed that the ex-Manchester United and Juventus star does not play simply because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner said, as quoted by Madrid Xtra:“Ronaldo is not just playing because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s because he’s still their best attacker in the area.”

Ronaldo and Kroos spent four seasons together at Real Madrid and won plenty of trophies together. They shared the pitch on 171 occasions for Los Blancos and had 16 joint goal participations. × Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Snehanjan Banerjee Pundit Daniel Riolo has blasted Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following their 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Roberto Martinez's side had to settle for only a draw against the African side in their opening game of the tournament. Ad Portugal got off to a dream start as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Joao Neves scored the opener in the sixth minute.

DR Congo came up with a brave fight, and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa scored the equalizer in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. Ronaldo looked largely ineffective and isolated up front for Roberto Martinez's side. Pundit Daniel Riolo slammed the 41-year-old following the game and claimed that Portugal seemed to play with 10 men.

He said, as quoted by CentreGoals on X: Ad Trending "Cristiano Ronaldo is a plague on his team... They played with 10 men and a post up front. Messi knows he's at the end of his career...

Ronaldo, he's in his own world. He thinks he's still 25, that he's still at a big club." Cristiano Ronaldo only had 25 touches during the game, and only five of them were inside the opposition box.

He attempted three shots, but none of those was on target. Ad Portugal will be frustrated having drawn their first group stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Colombia securing a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan, the South Americans top Group K table after their first game.

Ronaldo has created history by becoming the oldest outfield player to play in the FIFA World Cup aged 41 years and 132 days. He is also joint-top with Lionel Messi to feature in most World Cups with both representing their respective countries in six World Cups now. Ad Toni Kroos makes big claim on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after their 1-1 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Toni Kroos has claimed that his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo still starts for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup on merit.

He has claimed that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the best striker Roberto Martinez has at his disposal. Ad Kroos has claimed that the ex-Manchester United and Juventus star does not play simply because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner said, as quoted by Madrid Xtra:“Ronaldo is not just playing because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s because he’s still their best attacker in the area.”

Ronaldo and Kroos