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Rabat – Former France international striker Thierry Henry has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo’s movement during Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Henry focused on one attacking move involving Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Francisco Conceicao during his post-match analysis.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker argued in his post‑match analysis on Fox Sports that Ronaldo made the wrong run because he was focused on scoring rather than helping Portugal create the best possible chance.
“There is something important here,” Henry said. “The team needs to score. It is not about you needing to score.”
Portugal controlled much of the possession but struggled to break down DR Congo’s organized defense after Yoane Wissa canceled out João Neves’ early goal.
Henry questions Ronaldo’s movement
Henry explained that Conceição received the ball in a wide position while Ronaldo moved toward the area where Fernandes was waiting for a possible cutback.
According to Henry, Ronaldo should instead have continued his run toward the six-yard box.
That movement could have forced the nearest defender to follow him, leaving more room for Fernandes to attack the ball.
“When you make that run, you force the defender to make a decision,” Henry said. “Does he allow the ball to enter the six-yard box, or does he follow the runner?”
Henry argued that Ronaldo’s decision made the situation easier for DR Congo’s defenders.
“Because he wanted to score, he moved into Bruno Fernandes’ path,” he said. “Had he gone toward the goal area, the defender would have followed him, and Bruno could have had a simple finish.”
‘The team needs to score, not you’
Henry repeated that Portugal’s main objective should have been creating the best chance, regardless of which player finished the move.
“Because he was looking for the goal, he moved toward the cutback and made the defensive task easier,” Henry said.
“The team needs to score. It is not about you.”
The Frenchman also pointed to Fernandes’ reaction after the move ended.
Henry said the midfielder appeared frustrated because he expected Ronaldo to allow the ball to pass through while making a run that would pull the defender away.
“We saw Bruno Fernandes’ reaction,” Henry added. “He wanted Cristiano to leave the ball and make the run that would create the space, but that did not happen.”
Portugal faces early pressure
Ronaldo remained on the pitch for the full match as Portugal searched for a winning goal.
Head coach Roberto Martinez later defended that decision, saying it would not have made sense to remove football’s leading international goalscorer while the team needed to score.
Portugal must now improve their attacking movement before facing Uzbekistan in their second Group K match.
