Ronaldo Struggles as Other World Cup Superstars Shine

Some of football’s biggest stars have already made a major impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s opening match did not go as planned.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France against Senegal, becoming France’s all-time leading scorer. Erling Haaland also made a strong World Cup debut for Norway with two goals against Iraq. Lionel Messi went even further, scoring a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria and moving level with Miroslav Klose as the joint-leading goalscorer in World Cup history.

After those performances, attention turned to Ronaldo and Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo. Ronaldo had the chance to make history by becoming the first man to score in six different World Cups, but Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw and the 41-year-old forward struggled to influence the game.

Portugal started well, taking an early lead through João Neves after a strong header from Pedro Neto’s cross. However, DR Congo responded before half-time through Yoane Wissa, who scored a deserved equaliser.

Although Portugal controlled most of the possession, they struggled to create clear chances. Ronaldo had two opportunities in the second half after cutbacks from Francisco Conceição, but he was unable to finish either chance. His quiet performance became a major talking point, especially because he played the full match despite having limited involvement.

Former players and analysts discussed whether Portugal should rely less on Ronaldo and allow younger players to take more responsibility. Some suggested that his status and history can sometimes influence how teammates make decisions on the pitch.

Even with the disappointing start, Ronaldo remains one of football’s most dangerous goalscorers. If Portugal can create better chances for him, he may still find a way to make history in this tournament.

For now, Portugal’s draw with DR Congo adds pressure to their next group match, while the debate around Ronaldo’s role continues. In a World Cup where Mbappé, Haaland, and Messi have already delivered big moments, fans will be watching closely to see whether Ronaldo can respond.