World Cup 2026: ‘Time has caught up with him, no pace, energy’ – Cascarino slams Martinez over Ronaldo

Former Ireland international, Tony Cascarino, has said that Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo offered nothing to the Portuguese team during their disappointing draw against DR Congo on Tuesday.

The match marked Portugal’s opening game of the 2033 World Cup, and Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes without making any significant impact.

Cascarino was astonished that Martinez did not substitute the 41-year-old at any point in the game 

Portugal, who many people believed were among the favourites to win the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, started their campaign in an unconvincing manner.

While speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino stated, “I’m trying to be as kind as possible. But he [Ronaldo] was truly off his game. It appears that time has finally caught up with him.

“He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball. I remember Ronaldo as that winger that just got the ball and drove at people.

“Okay, he’s aged, he’s not that type of player anymore, but he offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on.

“I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?’ You’ve got to take people off.

“If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager.

“And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, ‘I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo’.”