Sutton blames Ronaldo for Portugal’s World Cup exit, calls him 'grandad'
On Monday, July 6, 2026, Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in North America. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, commenting on BBC’s coverage, blamed Cristiano Ronaldo for the exit, saying the 41‑year‑old Al‑Nassr forward “did nothing” and moved “like a grandad” despite being Portugal’s top scorer with three goals in the tournament. Sutton argued that Ronaldo’s lack of movement, pressing and variation hurt the team, leaving teammates frustrated.
For Nigerian football fans, the commentary reignites debates about the role of ageing stars in national teams. Similar discussions arise locally regarding veterans such as Odion Ighalo or John Obi Mikel and whether experience should outweigh youth in squads for upcoming tournaments like the AFCON or World Cup qualifiers. The incident highlights how global punditry can shape domestic perceptions of player value and selection policies.
Readers should consider whether relying on ageing legends helps or hinders team performance, and reflect on how Nigeria might balance experience with emerging talent in future campaigns. With Ronaldo’s age drawing scrutiny, the question remains: should Super Eagles prioritize youth development over relying on senior stars for major tournaments?