Louis Saha Calls for Cristiano Ronaldo to Be Dropped by Portugal After DR Congo World Cup Draw

Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s starting lineup is under scrutiny following the team’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Houston, with former Manchester United forward Louis Saha among those calling for the veteran attacker to be dropped.

Saha, who was once a teammate of Ronaldo’s at Old Trafford, argued that the Al-Nassr striker requires intervention from management to protect both his legacy and Portugal’s World Cup ambitions. Speaking via Casinolyze, Saha stated: “Cristiano Ronaldo needs to be saved from himself, because Cristiano is always going to be in competition with [Erling] Haaland, [Kylian] Mbappe, and [Lionel] Messi. He wants to play every minute to break records, that’s his mentality and we understand that.”

The comments come in the wake of a frustrating opening group-stage result that has placed Roberto Martinez under considerable pressure. The Portugal manager has faced criticism from multiple quarters for his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch throughout the match despite what many observers described as an ineffective performance. Critics have suggested that Martinez’s close personal relationship with the forward may be influencing his tactical judgement.

Saha acknowledged that Ronaldo’s physical condition remains impressive for a player of his age, but insisted that Portugal’s style of play demands a more flexible approach to selection. “Portugal needs a high tempo. They want to press and have the energy level at the very top, that will involve making changes,” he said. “Sometimes he has provided a solution for that… But he will find that during some games, it will feel hard for him.”

Ronaldo, who turned 41 in February 2025, is participating in what is widely expected to be his final FIFA World Cup. The forward has been one of the defining players of his generation, winning five Ballon d’Or awards and breaking the record for most international goals in men’s football. His continued presence in the Portugal squad has been a source of ongoing debate, with his club form in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League considered by some analysts as insufficient preparation for the demands of international tournament football.

The 1-1 result against DR Congo leaves Portugal in a precarious position in their group and increases the stakes for their remaining fixtures. Martinez had previously defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, though those comments drew further scrutiny rather than easing tensions around the selection debate.

With Portugal needing a stronger result in their next group match to consolidate their position, the question of whether Martinez will alter his approach — and Ronaldo’s role within it — is set to dominate discussion around the squad in the coming days.