João Félix is in the middle of a familiar Portugal debate again: Cristiano Ronaldo started and played the full 90 minutes against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but he managed only 25 touches and never really threatened the goal. That has put fresh pressure on Roberto Martínez and on the question of whether Portugal are getting the best version of a team built to compete at World Cup level.
Ronaldo and Portugal’s shape
Ronaldo is 41 years old, and this was the kind of outing that brings the age issue back into focus. He stayed on for the full match, yet the numbers were thin: 25 touches, no meaningful threat, and no obvious disruption to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s defensive structure.
Portugal still have players such as Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and João Neves, which is why the selection debate is so sharp. When a side has that kind of depth, a forward who is touching the ball so little becomes a tactical choice rather than a sentimental one.
Miguel Dantas on Ronaldo
Miguel Dantas wrote that Ronaldo should take it upon himself to stand down to serve Portugal’s chances. He added that if Ronaldo truly wants to serve the team, he should approach the coach about taking a reduced role.
That is the friction inside the argument. Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s biggest icons, but the match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo fed the view that his status is now sitting ahead of his output. Martínez keeps starting him, yet the latest full-match run gave Portugal little return.
Ngal’ayel Mukau’s view
After the match, Ngal’ayel Mukau offered a measured read on Ronaldo’s level. “We know that he isn’t the same as before. He is a little bit older now. But still, he is one of the greatest to play the game. We have much respect for him.”
That respect does not change the football issue. If Ronaldo keeps starting and stays on for 90 minutes while contributing so little in possession, the burden shifts back to Martínez’s next selection call. The debate is no longer about reputation alone; it is about whether Portugal want their best squad built around one player’s full match load or around a reduced role that opens more of the game to others.
