Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has drawn sharp criticism from Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, who argued the Al Nassr forward offers very little to Portugal at this stage of his career.
Speaking on ESPN Podcasts, Hansen — a former defender who won eight English First Division titles with Liverpool — pulled no punches in his assessment of the veteran striker. “In this World Cup, he has been offside more times than I can remember because he knows he needs to get a quick headstart on the defenders because he doesn’t have the pace, so he’s running offside,” Hansen said. “Because he’s not beaten anybody, he can’t go past anybody, so the only place he has to be is in the penalty box, but even then he’s pretty much invisible.”
The criticism follows a largely underwhelming group stage for Ronaldo, now 41 years old and competing in what is widely considered his final World Cup. His statistical record across Portugal’s three group matches paints a complicated picture. Against DR Congo in a 1-1 draw, he managed just two shots off target and registered only 25 touches throughout the match. He bounced back with a brace in a 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan, but that positive showing was quickly overshadowed by his display against Colombia.
In Portugal’s final group game — a goalless draw played in Miami on Saturday — Ronaldo recorded only two touches inside the opposition box, managed one shot on target, lost possession eight times, and was caught offside on two occasions. Portugal finished second in their group as a result of the stalemate.
Despite the muted individual performances, Ronaldo and Portugal have still advanced to the knockout rounds. The Selecção are widely expected to be favourites when they face Croatia — finalists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia — in the Round of 32 on Thursday, July 2, in Toronto.
Ronaldo’s group stage record at this tournament stands in contrast to that of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, who has been in sharper form for Argentina. Ronaldo was notably absent from the Best XI of the Group Stage as selected by various analysts, a list that featured both Messi and Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.
The debate around Ronaldo’s international future has intensified throughout the tournament. Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has publicly declined to draw direct comparisons between Ronaldo and Messi, but the pressure on the team’s continued reliance on their captain has grown louder with each passing match. At club level, Ronaldo has remained a prolific scorer in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, but critics argue that standard of competition does little to prepare players for the demands of a major international tournament.
Portugal’s Round of 32 fixture against Croatia on July 2 in Toronto will offer Ronaldo another opportunity to respond to his detractors. Croatia, despite their 2018 World Cup final appearance, have shown vulnerability at this edition of the tournament, and Portugal will enter the tie as favourites to progress to the last 16.
