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Cristiano Ronaldo stated in 2025 that winning the World Cup isn't something he "dreams" about, nor would failing to win it "define" his legacy. The second point is undeniably accurate.
Ronaldo has shaped the trajectory of soccer since making his debut for Sporting CP in 2002, and were it not for Lionel Messi, his extraordinary accomplishments would stand entirely on their own—much like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal having to share the tennis spotlight with Novak Djokovic.
Setting aside club honors and silverware, it's not as though he's come away empty-handed with his national side either. Some may question whether the UEFA Nations League qualifies as a 'major' competition, but the 2016 European Championship represented Portugal's first-ever international title—something two previous golden generations in the 1960s and 2000s never managed to deliver.
Yet perhaps he doesn't dream of World Cup glory because, deep down, he knows that window has long since closed. Watching Ronaldo do little more than take up space during Portugal's underwhelming 2026 group stage opener against DR Congo was a somewhat melancholy sight for a player considered among the all-time greats.
If the World Cup isn't his dream, then why does he keep pursuing it? Ronaldo is 41, a self-made billionaire, and could have gracefully retired years ago had he chosen to.
In the 1–1 draw—celebrated as a victory by DR Congo—Ronaldo played all 90 minutes, touched the ball just 25 times, and failed to register a single shot in the first 67 minutes. All three of his eventual attempts missed the target, posing no real threat to the goalkeeper, while he also created zero chances for his teammates.
Ronaldo's clearest opportunity, a scuffed near-post effort following Francisco Conçeicão's cutback, would arguably have been better left for Bruno Fernandes, who was positioned a few yards behind him.
Ronaldo Decline Began Long Ago
0 - Cristiano Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive major tournament games without scoring for Portugal (FIFA World Cup/EURO):
33 shots
11 on target
0 goals
Drought. pic.twitter.com/PYQIHPgCkM
This is far from a recent issue. Ronaldo has been past his best at major tournaments for some time now.
His World Cup record alone has never been particularly impressive, even during his prime. While Messi has netted 16 goals in 27 appearances on this stage—both men made their debuts at the 2006 tournament—Portugal's talisman has managed just eight in 24.
It has now been 10 consecutive major tournament matches at the World Cup or European Championship without a goal. Ronaldo's last tournament strike came against Ghana in Portugal's opening fixture at the 2022 World Cup. He failed to score again in Qatar as his side bowed out in the quarterfinals, and was even dropped to the bench for the knockout rounds by coach Fernando Santos.
Ronaldo reclaimed his starting spot and rediscovered his scoring touch in the very next match—a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein—and that's essentially been his pattern with the national team: prolific in qualifiers and the Nations League, but ineffective in tournaments. He went scoreless throughout Euro 2024 yet still featured for nearly every minute. At this point in his career, if Ronaldo isn't scoring, he isn't contributing—he's no longer the dynamic, game-changing force he once was.
Saudi Pro League Proves Poor World Cup Preparation
Ronaldo has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia since early 2023. Despite the claims from high-profile players who have moved there that it's a competitive league, the overall quality falls short beyond a small number of elite clubs. While it has allowed him to prolong his career well past the typical expiry date, the numbers Ronaldo produces in the Gulf arguably paint a far more flattering picture of his current level than reality warrants.
He netted 50 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr in 2023–24 and still contributed 28 league goals in 30 appearances in 2025–26 as he finally claimed the Saudi Pro League title. However, that environment offers little preparation for facing higher-caliber opposition on the world's biggest stage.
DR Congo, despite making their first World Cup appearance since 1974—when the nation competed as Zaïre—are no pushover. Four of their back five ply their trade in Europe's 'Big Five' leagues. Ronaldo was closely marshaled, and the service he sought from a supporting cast that included Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and João Neves was repeatedly cut out. These days, Ronaldo lacks the mobility to escape tight defensive attention, making it increasingly difficult to find him—particularly when he remains the team's primary focal point.
Where Does Portugal Go From Here?
Dropping Ronaldo is obviously an enormous decision. Santos made that call in 2022 and it didn't stick. Sometimes the hardest choice is also the most necessary one—as Spain demonstrated when they ruthlessly moved on from Real Madrid legend Raúl after one tournament too many in 2006. Current boss Roberto Martínez has consistently backed Ronaldo's continued inclusion, but with the Spaniard set to depart after this World Cup, he now has nothing to lose in his pursuit of the ultimate prize.
Portugal doesn't have a wealth of alternative striking options. Gonçalo Ramos is the only other natural No. 9 that Martínez opted to include in the squad. The 24-year-old was once heralded as the next big thing—actually outscoring Ronaldo three goals to one at the last World Cup—but has been little more than a fringe player since joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and barely featured at Euro 2024.
Ramos could flourish in a more fluid system that leverages his strengths—dropping deep, rotating positions, participating in buildup play, and creating space for wingers and midfielders to exploit—something Ronaldo is no longer capable of doing. Portugal could equally deploy a 'false nine' from a range of options including Bernardo Silva, João Félix, Rafael Leão, or others to achieve a similar effect.
Portugal faces Uzbekistan next, and a victory there would virtually secure their place in the knockout rounds, with a final group game against Colombia still to come. But with a ponderous Ronaldo leading the line, would the attacking output look any different from what was on show here?