Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of 'waddling like a granddad' as Portugal's World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16. Mikel Merino's injury-time winner sent the reigning European champions through to a quarter-final clash with Belgium, who thrashed co-hosts USA 4-1.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, playing his sixth World Cup, failed to make an impact as Spain's defence recorded a record sixth consecutive clean sheet. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, commentating for BBC 5 Live, was scathing in his assessment.
Sutton's criticism of Ronaldo and Martinez
“He’s waddling around the field like a granddad. Honestly, that’s why Portugal are out,” Sutton said. “There’s a lot of them probably walking off the pitch now thinking Ronaldo you’ve killed us in this tournament. You’re the reason we’ve gone out, you’re the reason we’ve struggled in the final third.”
Sutton also directed sharp criticism at Portugal manager Roberto Martinez for starting Ronaldo over Goncalo Ramos, who scored the winner against Croatia in the previous round. “How can Goncalo Ramos come off the bench and score the winner against Croatia and not actually get a minute?” Sutton asked. “What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander? His job was to try and win the World Cup and put the best team out for Portugal. Has he done that? Absolutely not.”
Portugal's 'freak show' performance
Sutton described Portugal's display as a “freak show” and a “circus,” adding: “It’s scandalous the way he has managed this team. Why did they not throw a punch? Your team is only as good as your centre forward. You can put the bulk of it on Ronaldo but more you put on the manager.”
Ronaldo, who has scored three goals in the tournament, was unable to trouble Spain's central defensive pairing of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi. At the final whistle, he cut a frustrated figure as his World Cup dream ended in disappointment once again.
Reaction on social media
Sutton doubled down on his criticism on X, posting: “Roberto Martinez is an embarrassment. Goncalo Ramos stays on the bench. Ronaldo does what he wants again! Portugal were a freak show, a circus. Martinez so weak.”
Portugal's exit marks the end of an era for Ronaldo, who has now failed to win the World Cup in six attempts. Martinez's future as manager is also in doubt after the team's underwhelming performance in the tournament.
