A persistent point of discussion in recent international competitions has centered on whether the legendary forward should remain in the starting lineup.
He holds the men’s international scoring record with 146 goals for his nation, though detractors have increasingly argued that his overall contribution beyond finding the net has diminished.
Given his colossal reputation and global influence that stretches far beyond football, the head coach appeared reluctant to leave him out of the side.
Yet a squad packed with some of the globe’s finest defensive and midfield talent might have expected to progress further than the round of 16.
Four members of the team were instrumental in Paris St-Germain securing the last two Champions League trophies—full-back Nuno Mendes, midfield duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, and forward Goncalo Ramos, who made a summer switch to AC Milan.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was named the Premier League’s standout performer for the season.
“How was it possible for Goncalo Ramos not to feature at all?” questioned Sutton.
“It is a total disgrace from the coach, simply indulging his biggest name.
“He is the most honoured player in the nation’s history, but you have to show more resolve than that.”
The iconic captain concluded the tournament with three goals, netting twice against Uzbekistan and converting a penalty against Croatia.
But while 10 players scored more frequently, only four individuals at the 2026 World Cup registered more attempts than his total of 18 shots.
His number of efforts on goal was equal to that of joint top scorer Erling Haaland, who has found the net seven times so far.
In contrast, across his five appearances, he fashioned just a single opportunity for a teammate.
A total of 366 players registered more touches than the Portugal star at the World Cup, despite him being on the field for all but nine minutes of his team’s five matches.
Martinez stated: “In moments when you are chasing a goal, you cannot remove Cristiano, at least during the 90 minutes. He is physically up to it—his movement, his threat in space, his ability in set-piece situations; we rely on his know-how.”
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