Cristiano Ronaldo dubbed a ‘problem’ for Portugal camp – ‘It’s a horrible place to be’

Manchester United icon Nicky Butt has branded Cristiano Ronaldo “a problem” for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. Portugal began their World Cup campaign with a draw against DR Congo.

Ronaldo, 41, produced a dismal performance as he entered his sixth World Cup. The veteran forward played the full match but looked far from his best, with pundits claiming that his presence hindered the team.

Portugal boss Martinez has a talented squad at his disposal, but his side were unable to build on their early lead and had no reply after Yoane Wissa’s equaliser. It leaves the manager with a seismic selection dilemma ahead of their next game against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Ronaldo is undeniably one of the greatest to have played the game, but he has not scored in his last 10 appearances at major tournaments. United legend Butt, who played alongside him at Old Trafford, has argued that Ronaldo’s status leaves Martinez in an uncomfortable position.

“Cristiano’s a superstar, he’s one of the best that has ever lived,” Butt told Paddy Power. “You look in the stadium, pretty much every Portuguese had a ‘Ronaldo 7’ on their shirt. He’s a god there. But he’s causing a problem, definitely 100 per cent, no one can say he isn’t.

“The minute [Martinez] brings Ronaldo to the tournament he has to play him, he can’t sit him on the bench unless he had a discussion with him beforehand and said ‘You’re not starting, you’re coming on and you’re going to impact the game.’

“It’s a horrible place for Roberto Martinez to be in, I feel sorry for him because you’ve got a player who has been a fantastic footballer, he’s the god of the country and you’re going to need to leave him out.”

Former United striker Louis Saha has also called for Ronaldo to accept a reduced role in the side. However, Butt believes the striker will have a different view, which could prompt Martinez to make a huge call.

“[Martinez has] got a big decision in the next game if he doesn’t perform, a massive one,” Butt said. “If you look away from Cristiano Ronaldo, I don’t know any player that can play centre forward at 41 at that level, it just doesn’t happen. He’s been a phenomenal, phenomenal footballer but age catches up with everybody.

“I know Cristiano, I know his ego, I know how he lives and he’ll be raging right now. The fact that LIonel Messi scored a hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe scored two, Harry Kane scored two, Erling Haaland scored two. All the big forwards have scored and he hasn’t.

“He’ll take that as a personal insult and I’m sure he’ll be ready to go in the next game. But the manager still has a big call on his hands.

“If they get to 60 minutes next game and they’re not winning, and he’s playing like he played, he’s going to have to bring him off. I wouldn’t like to be in Martinez’s position because he can’t win.”

In their opening game, Portugal’s eye-catching midfied included PSG duo Joao Neves and Vitinha, with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea star Pedro Neto and Manchester City hero Bernardo Silva occupying more advanced roles. PSG striker Goncalo Ramos is one of the possible options to replace Ronaldo, alongside Al-Nassr’s Joao Felix.

Portugal are in Group K alongside Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan. Martinez’s side are currently third, with Colombia topping the group after their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.