How Portugal wasted a golden shot at World Cup glory

Spain's triumph over Portugal, coupled with Belgium's dominant win against the United States, marked July 6, 2026, as a notable day in football, despite the disappointment surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance.

Ronaldo's achievement of reaching a sixth World Cup finals at 41 years old underscored his exceptional resilience and fitness, even as many fans mourned the end of his World Cup journey. Wayne Rooney praised Ronaldo as "a genius, a superstar" who contributed something rare to football, acknowledging the player's belief in winning the tournament.

However, Portugal's elimination in the round of 16 was widely anticipated, reflecting a continuation of the issues that plagued their Euro 2024 campaign. The pattern of relying heavily on Ronaldo, to the detriment of team dynamics, was evident in coach Roberto Martinez's approach, which prioritized Ronaldo above other players.

Martinez's decision to bench Goncalo Ramos during the loss to Spain aligned with his consistent selection policy favoring Ronaldo and ten others. Although Ramos scored the winning goal against Croatia after coming off the bench, he was never seriously considered over Ronaldo for starting roles.

From the outset of his tenure managing Portugal's 'Golden Generation,' Martinez made it clear that Ronaldo was central to his plans, even visiting Saudi Arabia to convey this to the veteran forward. This approach persisted despite Ronaldo's declining effectiveness at the highest level, as demonstrated during the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, where Ronaldo failed to score despite numerous attempts.

Martinez remained in his position despite these results, and with Ronaldo increasingly becoming a peripheral figure on the team, Portugal's World Cup campaign was predictably unsuccessful.

Portugal's tournament began with a goalless draw against DR Congo, and although Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan, his overall impact was limited, including a solitary penalty goal against Croatia in the knockout round. His minimal involvement in open play during that match led to his substitution late in the game, which ended with Ramos scoring a decisive header.

Ronaldo responded to calls for his retirement by defending his legacy and expressing gratitude for the criticism he had faced since turning 40. He emphasized his commitment to continue playing on his own terms, rejecting external pressure to retire.

While Ronaldo's status as one of football's greatest goal-scorers remains undisputed, his performances and behavior in the final three international tournaments have affected his legacy, as he is remembered for contributing more harm than benefit in his concluding years.

Building teams around Ronaldo was understandable initially, but his decline became a liability for Portugal, a team that once depended on him. The failure to advance beyond the quarter-finals in major tournaments since their Euro 2016 victory highlights this issue.

Although players like Bruno Fernandes underperformed at the World Cup, the widespread lackluster performances from key talents such as Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fernandes raised questions about coaching and team management.

Martinez himself acknowledged the team's potential to win the World Cup, but after failing to achieve this, he conceded that continuing in his role was pointless. His tenure, focused on accommodating Ronaldo rather than fostering a winning squad, ultimately wasted the opportunity presented by a talented group of players.

Bernardo Silva and others deserved stronger leadership, and Ronaldo might have contributed more effectively if he had accepted a reduced role. Instead, his continued prominence led to further underperformance on football's biggest stage.

In this light, Ronaldo's departure from international football was not a purely somber moment for Portugal; it also represented a release from the constraints of an outdated team structure that had hindered their success in recent years.