Is Ronaldo still the right choice for Portugal?

Portugal faces Croatia this Friday in a crucial clash as they aim to secure a place in the Round of 16.
The encounter will feature two legendary veterans of world football Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

Former Real Madrid teammates, Ronaldo is now 41 while Modric is 40, and both have already cemented their legacies as two of the greatest players their nations have produced.

The debate, however, is no longer about their achievements but about their current impact. While experienced leaders can offer invaluable guidance, questions remain over how much influence players in their 40s can still have on the pitch at the highest level.

Ronaldo’s inclusion in Portugal’s World Cup squad was never seriously in doubt, especially if this proves to be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage. Although some believe he could remain fit enough for another tournament, selecting a 45-year-old Ronaldo in the future instead of a younger, more dynamic option would likely spark even greater debate.

Quiet display against Colombia Portugal’s final group-stage match ended in a goalless draw with Colombia, and Ronaldo struggled to make a significant attacking impact. He attempted three shots-joint-most for Portugal alongside Joao Felix-but managed only one effort on target. Ronaldo also registered just two touches inside Colombia’s penalty area, one of which resulted in his off-target attempt.

By comparison, Colombia’s attackers were far more active. Luis Diaz recorded seven touches inside Portugal’s box, while Jhon Arias managed six, highlighting the visitors’ attacking intent.

Although Colombia also failed to score, the contrast reflected the work rate and attacking involvement shown by their forwards throughout the contest.

Passing and overall contribution
Ronaldo’s passing statistics also raised concerns. He completed just 81.5 percent of his passes, the lowest success rate among Portugal’s starters.

Despite recording 35 touches and completing 22 passes, several teammates achieved considerably better passing accuracy. Equally notable was his lack of dribbling, as he neither attempted nor completed a single dribble, and he did not contest any aerial duels-areas that have traditionally been strengths throughout his career.

From a defensive perspective, Ronaldo failed to register either a tackle or an interception. While defensive duties have never been central to his role, his limited all-round contribution may still concern head coach Roberto Martinez as Portugal pursue a deep run in the tournament.

Strong finish against Uzbekistan
Ronaldo’s performance in Portugal’s previous outing against Uzbekistan painted a very different picture.
The veteran forward scored twice in a commanding 5-0 victory, producing seven shots, five of them on target. He also recorded 10 touches inside the opposition penalty area and was involved in five major scoring opportunities.

However, some aspects of his game remained below expectations. His passing accuracy dropped to 68.4 percent-the lowest among Portuguese players-and he completed only 13 passes.

He attempted one dribble without success and recovered possession only once, matching goalkeeper Diogo Costa for the lowest total in the team. Ronaldo also won just one tackle, although no Portugal player attempted more than two during the match.

Mixed opening performance
Portugal began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing draw against DR Congo, a result many viewed as an underwhelming start.

Ronaldo led Portugal with three attempts on goal, although none tested the goalkeeper. He also made five touches inside the DR Congo penalty area, second only to Nuno Mendes.

One positive was his excellent passing accuracy of 90.5 percent. While he again did not attempt a dribble, he was more involved physically, winning two of three ground duels and two of three aerial contests.

Defensively, however, he stood out for the wrong reasons, becoming the only Portugal player not to attempt a tackle, win a foul, or make a clearance.

Big test against Croatia
Portugal now faces a Croatia side that also relies on experienced players, led by Luka Modric. Despite their ageing squad, Croatia’s veterans continue to contribute across all areas of the pitch with relentless energy and commitment.

Ronaldo has produced moments of quality during the tournament, particularly against Uzbekistan, but his overall performances have been inconsistent.

If Portugal is to challenge for World Cup glory, they will likely need more than flashes of brilliance from their captain. Greater involvement, intensity, and all-round influence could prove vital in the knockout stages