Sunday Oliseh Recommends 35-Minute Role for Cristiano Ronaldo at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sunday Oliseh, the former Nigeria international and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, has entered the growing debate over Cristiano Ronaldo‘s role in Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, offering a specific tactical recommendation to manager Roberto Martinez.

Speaking on the Global Football Insights show, Oliseh argued that limiting Ronaldo’s minutes is the most effective way to extract value from the veteran forward. “I think it’s better he plays 35 minutes where he can give a 100% than try to play through 90 minutes and not be at his best,” Oliseh said.

The comments followed Ronaldo’s widely criticised display during Portugal’s 1-1 opening Group K draw against DR Congo on Wednesday, June 17, a result that raised immediate questions about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s suitability as a starter at this stage of his career.

Oliseh acknowledged Ronaldo’s remarkable physical conditioning but drew a clear distinction between fitness and effectiveness at the highest level. “Ronaldo is exceptional, but he’s gone from being a great dribbler to being a fox in the box. He’s adapted his game to fit his age,” the former Super Eagles captain stated. “He’s very fit. But at the World Cup, they don’t need the fox in the box anymore.”

Central to Oliseh’s argument is the profile of the current Portugal squad. He contended that the team’s youthful, dynamic attacking unit requires movement and creativity rather than a static presence in the penalty area. “This team is very young, and they’re creative. For that reason, they need movements in attack. He’s taking a place that’s very strategic,” he said.

Oliseh also addressed the broader question of career longevity in professional football, referencing the conventional wisdom around player decline. “Strikers don’t have to always wait for balls in the modern age. He has scored loads of goals, but there’s a reason they tell footballers to start writing footballers when they get to 33. You cannot think you want to play forever. At some point, he has to stop.”

Ronaldo, who turns 42 in February 2027, has continued to produce prolific numbers at club level with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, but the demands of international tournament football present a different challenge. Portugal, one of the pre-tournament favourites in Group K, now face Uzbekistan in their next fixture, a match in which Martinez will be under pressure to secure all three points following the dropped result against DR Congo.

The debate around Ronaldo’s starting role is not new. Martinez faced similar scrutiny during UEFA Euro 2024, where Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by France. How the Belgian coach manages his captain’s involvement at this World Cup is likely to remain one of the tournament’s recurring storylines.