2026 World Cup: Even *A Bola* Dumps Cristiano Ronaldo: “He Didn’t Get It”
Cristiano Ronaldo has come under fire in his home country following his poor performance in the 2026 World Cup opener against Congo. In Portugal, the issue is now out in the open, and it’s impossible to avoid discussing it: CR7 is a living legend, but he’s clearly struggling on the field, and many are calling for a change. The newspaper A Bola, in one of its editorials, openly criticized Ronaldo, while still respecting his incredible legacy and the fundamental role he has played in Portugal’s rise over the past 20 years: “The entire country owes him a debt of gratitude. Precisely for this reason, it’s painful to witness the end of an era. At 41, Cristiano is no longer the player he was at 31. He couldn’t possibly be. Time, an invincible opponent, affects us all—and even more so professional athletes, regardless of their greatness.”
According to the editorial in A Bola, there are several parties to blame for the embarrassing situation that has arisen: “The primary person responsible for this situation is Cristiano himself, for failing to understand that—as difficult as it is to accept—the time has come for him to retire from the national team. The second is Roberto Martínez, who, in a submissive role, has never demonstrated the ability or authority to manage this transition in the way that the collective interest required. The psychological and tactical influence caused by Ronaldo’s presence is still evident. Many players rely on him too heavily; many plays end up being built around him, and the team loses its spontaneity. The friendly against Chile is a clear example of this. After Cristiano left the field at halftime, Portugal became more mobile, more unpredictable, and ultimately managed to break the deadlock. This is not about disrespecting a legend. It’s about acknowledging a competitive reality.”
“There is also a third responsibility—Bola continues—that of those around Cristiano Ronaldo who continue to feed him the false notion that he can still carry the national team on his shoulders alone, as has happened so many times over the past two decades. He cannot. Neither he nor anyone else.”
Hence the appeal: “Cristiano Ronaldo has nothing left to prove. Not to the Portuguese people, not to soccer, and not to himself. His place in history is secured forever. The time has come to leave the stage with the same grandeur with which he entered it—out of respect for himself, his teammates, the national team, and the club that nurtured him—the great Sporting Clube de Portugal—to set an example for the thousands of children taking their first steps in the world of soccer who idolize him, and out of respect for the millions of Portuguese who grew up admiring him.”
