After Portugal drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 17, it's Cristiano Ronaldo who's come under fire for an underwhelming performance on the pitch.
Several media outlets heavily criticized the 41-year-old Portuguese captain's game, adding to the pressure of high expectations behind his sixth and potentially last World Cup tournament.
The Independent called Ronaldo "a statue" and mentioned that Portugal had sacrificed "yet another World Cup to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego." The Telegraph contrasted the soccer star’s performance with Lionel Messi's recent hat-trick game against Algeria, while The Guardian wrote that Portugal needs to improve "a lot" and criticized the team's overall performance.
Indeed, the stakes remain high for Ronaldo, as the world watches one of the most important moments of his career closely. However, despite all the criticism and challenges, he is still widely considered one of the best soccer players of his generation, if not of all time.
Whether celebrated as a soccer icon or criticized for his flamboyant lifestyle, Ronaldo remains a force impossible to ignore. CR7 is not only successful on the field—he also lives a striking life outside of it. A life, however, that is certainly not free of scandal.
Click through the following gallery to learn all about the life and career of Cristiano Ronaldo.