2026 World Cup: Wayne Rooney reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance against DR Congo

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has expressed his disappointment at Roberto Martinez’s Portugal’s performance but defended Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney said that Ronaldo’s stat was never going to be the best but that if the 41-year-old had some good passes, he would score goals.

Prior to the tournament, Portugal was considered one of the frontrunners to secure the World Cup title, yet they encountered difficulties in their initial game against the underdog DR Congo.

Roberto Martinez’s team 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 equaled Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s record by participating in his sixth World Cup, but he fell short of becoming the first player ever to score in six different tournaments.

Rooney said on BBC One, “The first game of the group is so important and for Portugal to perform the way they have performed, you want to see more energy, I want to see more legs in the team.

“I want to see players run past Cristiano Ronaldo at times. I think it was a poor performance from Portugal.

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats are never going to be the best, so what he needs are chances. If he gets chances, and a good chance, he will score goals.

“We can look at stats over the last five years and they mean nothing.”