Ex-Liverpool Goalkeeper Explains Why Cristiano Ronaldo Could Hurt Portugal at 2026 World Cup
Published 12 Apr 2026 at 9:39 AM by Elijah Odetokun
Former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has delivered a stark warning about Cristiano Ronaldo's potential impact on the Portuguese national team at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a candid interview, Friedel suggested that Ronaldo, who will be 41 years old during the tournament, could actually be a detriment to Portugal's chances of success.
Ronaldo's Final World Cup Appearance
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. This tournament is widely expected to be his final World Cup outing as he winds down an illustrious career that has spanned decades. Ronaldo has already featured in five World Cup tournaments, starting from the 2006 edition. If he plays in 2026, he will make history alongside Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa as one of the only players to appear in six World Cups.
Friedel's Concerns About Ronaldo's Role
Brad Friedel, who played for Liverpool and Aston Villa during his career, has joined a growing chorus of voices questioning how Ronaldo will fit into Portugal's talented squad. In an interview with talkSPORT, Friedel highlighted several key issues:
- Changed Playing Style: Friedel noted that while Ronaldo still looks incredibly fit, his style of play has evolved significantly. "All players time out at some stage, and it is just how it goes," he said. "I mean, you look at Ronaldo, and he still looks unbelievably fit, but the way that he plays has changed."
- Defensive Limitations: The former goalkeeper pointed out that Ronaldo's defensive contributions are minimal, which could pose a problem against top-tier teams. "Ronaldo nowadays, especially when the team's defending, he's not going to do a lot. So, are you going to be the coach that can play against the better teams in the world and defend with 10? That's a tough thing to do."
- Team Dynamics: Friedel emphasized that players like Ronaldo are difficult to bench, and their presence can dominate team discussions. "There comes this time when the players could be a detriment to the overall team. And they're also the type of players that you can't put on the bench, and if you leave them out of the team, then that's all that's talked about for the whole World Cup."
Contrast with Lionel Messi
Interestingly, Friedel drew a contrast between Ronaldo and his longtime rival Lionel Messi. He believes that Messi can still function effectively with the Argentina national team due to the way the squad is structured around him. "The good thing about Messi is that he’s never had to defend; teams have always been built so that he can move freely on the pitch. That’s how it’s always been," Friedel explained. Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's coach, has successfully built a team that allows Messi to play with freedom, a strategy that led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Background and Context
Concerns about Ronaldo's suitability for the Portuguese team have been brewing since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where then-coach Fernando Santos benched him. Santos left the team after the tournament, and his successor, Roberto Martinez, restored Ronaldo as the focal point of the squad, starting with the 2024 European Championship. Despite this, questions persist about how Ronaldo's aging physique and playing style will mesh with Portugal's dynamic and youthful talent pool.
In related news, DR Congo's sports minister Didier Bodembo recently dared Ronaldo ahead of their World Cup match on June 17, claiming his team would leave the Portuguese star in tears. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to Ronaldo's potential final World Cup campaign.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo and whether he can defy critics like Brad Friedel to lead Portugal to glory one last time.
