Gael Clichy says Ronaldo may be holding Portugal back after World Cup draw
Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on June 18, 2026, with Joao Neves scoring early and Yoane Wissa equalizing. Cristiano Ronaldo matched Lionel Messi’s record by playing in his sixth World Cup but failed to score, extending his drought in the tournament. Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy, speaking on BBC One, suggested Ronaldo’s presence may be hindering the team’s natural flow, saying ‘sometimes unconsciously those kinds of players can take too much light’ and that removing him could let others take responsibility and link up better in midfield.
This matters because Portugal entered the tournament as a frontrunner, and the draw raised questions about manager Roberto Martinez’s tactics and the role of the 41-year-old star. Clichy’s critique highlights the tension between leveraging Ronaldo’s experience and optimizing team dynamics, especially after Portugal could not capitalize on their early lead against an underdog opponent.
If you were the coach, would you bench Ronaldo to improve team cohesion and create a more natural attacking shape, or keep him for his leadership and record-chasing pursuit? The decision could shape Portugal’s path in the competition and influence how veteran stars are utilized in high-stakes tournaments.