2026 World Cup: ‘I don’t understand’ – Chris Sutton slams Portugal boss, Martinez over Ronaldo

Former England striker, Chris Sutton, has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the Portugal team.

Sutton described Portugal’s display in their disappointing 1-1 draw with debutante Congo DR as ‘flat’ and ‘painful’.

Many football followers believed that Portugal was one of the frontrunners to win the title this year but Roberto Martinez’s side encountered difficulties in their first game against the underdog DR Congo.

They appeared poised for an easy victory when Joao Neves scored with a header just seven minutes into the match.

However, Portugal could not capitalize on their lead, allowing DR Congo to net their first World Cup goal through a header from Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa.

The iconic striker Ronaldo fell short of becoming the first player ever to score in six different tournaments.

Sutton, a former Chelsea star expressed disappointment while speaking on talkSPORT, saying, “Portugal were painful. It was a really insipid, flat performance.

“The story is all about DR Congo and how they grew into the game. Second half, it was a pretty even game but what a point for DR Congo.

“Roberto Martinez, I don’t understand some of his management. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery and the game passed him by.

“Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager. He is not the manager of the Portugal team and that is their issue.”