Thierry Henry Criticizes Ronaldo After Portugal’s World Cup Draw

French football legend Thierry Henry has delivered scathing criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Henry accused the veteran forward of selfish play, insisting that ‘the team needs to score, not you,’ and argued that Ronaldo blocked Bruno Fernandes’ attacking runs while failing to create space for teammates.

The remarks come after a subdued performance from Ronaldo, whose statistics highlighted his lack of influence.

He registered no shots on target, three off-target attempts, and only seven passes in the attacking third, contributing little to Portugal’s creative play.

For a player long celebrated for decisive moments on the world stage, the numbers underscored an unusually quiet outing.

Portugal’s campaign began with frustration against DR Congo, who returned to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.

The result leaves Portugal with work to do in Group K, which also features Uzbekistan and Colombia. Upcoming fixtures see Portugal face Uzbekistan on June 23, followed by a crucial clash against Colombia on June 27.

Henry’s critique carries significant weight given his decorated career, which includes a FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, European Championship, and multiple domestic league titles.