Cristiano Ronaldo endured a difficult outing despite Portugal's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in an international friendly. The Portuguese captain received the lowest rating among all 22 Portuguese players used in the match, according to Sofascore statistics. Foreign media and former England star John Barnes have questioned Ronaldo's influence ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Match Overview
Portugal faced Nigeria at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria for their final warm-up game before the World Cup. Pedro Neto put Portugal ahead in the first half, but Akor Adams equalized for the Super Eagles. With the match heading for a draw, substitute Francisco Conceicao scored a brilliant goal in the 75th minute to secure a 2-1 win for Portugal.
Ronaldo's Struggles
Ronaldo played 65 minutes and failed to register a goal or an assist. He attempted four shots, none on target, and missed three big chances. The Al-Nassr forward managed just 25 touches, completed no successful dribbles, and won none of his ground duels. His rating of 6.2 out of 10 was the lowest among all Portuguese players, and even Nigeria's 19 players had higher ratings despite losing.
International Media Reaction
Spanish newspaper AS highlighted Ronaldo's difficulties in front of goal, stating that what used to be a certain goal is no longer one. Marca praised match-winner Francisco Conceicao but noted that Portugal are not overflowing with excitement. French outlet RMC Sport described Ronaldo's display as awkward, while L'Equipe focused on Conceicao's wonder goal.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport credited Conceicao for rescuing Portugal. German newspaper Bild portrayed Ronaldo as a frustrated figure, saying he is still not in shape for the World Cup. Brazilian outlet Globoesporte echoed concerns, noting that Ronaldo squandered opportunities.
John Barnes' Criticism
Former England international John Barnes told talkSPORT that he does not believe Ronaldo will have a major impact for 90 minutes. Barnes argued that too much focus on Ronaldo could prevent other players like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Francisco Conceicao from expressing themselves. He concluded that this reliance on Ronaldo will not help Portugal.
Looking Ahead
Despite the criticism, Ronaldo declared Portugal ready for the World Cup after the victory. The 41-year-old is preparing for his sixth World Cup appearance and aims to become the oldest player to captain a winning side, surpassing Italy's Dino Zoff. Portugal will need to address Ronaldo's form to succeed in the tournament.
