Should Ronaldo Be Benched? Portugal Draw World Cup Opener Against DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo – (Web Desk) – Many football fans are now asking — should Ronaldo be benched at World Cup 2026? The question came up loud and clear after Portugal barely managed a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their Group K opener on Wednesday in Houston.

Portugal were the heavy favourites heading into the match. But the game told a different story. Joao Neves put Portugal ahead with a header in just the sixth minute. However, the team lost control after scoring and allowed DR Congo to equalise. Yoane Wissa headed in the equaliser just before half-time.

Ronaldo played all 90 minutes but failed to make any real impact. He had only three shot attempts and not a single one was on target. This was actually the sixth time in his World Cup career that he finished a match without a shot on goal.

To all @Cristiano fans, I understand why you think he is a magician. He has the ability to magically be invisible throughout entire matches. The invisible man strikes again!

— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) June 17, 2026

Fans on social media did not hold back. One user wrote that Ronaldo has a magical ability to go completely invisible in matches. Another fan said his best days are now in the past and that his ego could hurt the team’s chances in this tournament.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended Ronaldo after the match. He said there was no reason to take him off and pointed out that even Argentina lost their first match in 2022 before winning the title.

But numbers tell a harder truth. Ronaldo has not scored a non-penalty goal in a major competition since June 2021. He has now gone scoreless in five straight World Cup matches. Meanwhile, his former rival Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria.

Portugal still have two more group matches to play. Fans hope the team can find their rhythm. But the Ronaldo debate is only going to grow louder from here.