Cristiano Ronaldo's involvement with Portugal is set to divide opinion as the 41-year-old prepares for his sixth World Cup. John Barnes has warned that Ronaldo's dominating presence could hamper the team's chances, stating that the forward's style and personality may be counterproductive.
Barnes Expresses Concerns Over Ronaldo's Impact
Speaking to talkSPORT, Barnes said: 'I don't think Ronaldo will have much of an impact in terms of 90 minutes of being a player like he is the past. Portugal have got lots of good players but the more you have one player dominating the whole team, because he's Cristiano Ronaldo, without being the Cristiano Ronaldo of old, you won't see the best of Bruno Fernandes and other players because it's all about Ronaldo. And I don't think that will help.'
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is no longer at the peak of his career but remains integral to Portugal boss Roberto Martinez's plans. Critics argue that his lack of work off the ball and commanding aura could be detrimental to a team brimming with talent, including PSG's Champions League winners and Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal's World Cup Hopes
Portugal have never won the World Cup, with their best performance being a semi-final appearance. However, they are considered strong contenders this year due to their deep squad. At the last World Cup in Qatar, then-boss Fernando Santos famously dropped Ronaldo for a last-16 clash against Switzerland, where his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory.
Despite this, Ronaldo is back in favour and helped Portugal win the Nations League in 2025, scoring a crucial equalizer in the final against Spain. Martinez insists that Ronaldo's qualities remain a huge asset, citing his movement, timing, finishing, and ability to create space for others.
As the World Cup approaches, the debate over Ronaldo's role continues. While his legendary status is undisputed, his impact on the team's overall performance remains a topic of intense discussion.
