Former Manchester United and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has launched a pointed technical critique of Cristiano Ronaldo's role in Portugal's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, arguing that the 41-year-old's static positioning is hindering the team's title aspirations.
Speaking on ESPN's "La Casa del Kun", Forlan, the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner, analyzed Ronaldo's behavior from a striker's perspective. He noted that while Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal's 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan, his performances in a 1-1 draw against DR Congo and a 0-0 stalemate with Colombia were lackluster. Portugal now faces Croatia in the Round of 16.
Forlan explains how Ronaldo's immobility hurts Portugal
Forlan argued that Ronaldo's refusal to drift from the centre allows opposing centre-backs to lock down the penalty area, suffocating space for creators like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão. "The problem is that Cristiano is in the centre, he is who he is, he is there as a No.9, and he stays there to take advantage of the goal because he no longer goes out to look for the ball, but he ends up conditioning Portugal," Forlan explained on ESPN, as reported by Goal.com.
He added: "It's the typical situation where we used to say, 'I'm staying here because I'm close to the goal to score,' but you don't understand that you end up hurting your team because both centre backs stay there, you don't move."
Ronaldo's static play creates a 'funnel' effect
Forlan warned that this total immobility funnels Portugal's buildup into predictable attacking pathways. "If he moved a little to the wings, the others could get in, and he could be involved. That's where Portugal falters because they don't explode because everything ends up going to one side, which is actually a funnel," Forlan concluded.
The Uruguayan emphasized that his criticism is not about branding Ronaldo a failure but about pushing head coach Roberto Martinez and the leadership to adjust the striker's philosophy. "I wouldn't say it's a problem, it's about making him understand. Telling him: 'Move, get out of there so you can do something'," Forlan said.
Ronaldo's metrics mirror Portugal's erratic campaign
Ronaldo's performance metrics have mirrored Portugal's inconsistent group-stage campaign, shifting between isolated displays and clinical finishing. With a squad featuring Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão, Forlan believes a subtle shift in Ronaldo's mentality could unlock Portugal's full attacking potential.
