Scholes privately warned Martinez that Ronaldo would become a Portugal problem at the World Cup

Paul Scholes privately warned Portugal coach Roberto Martinez that Cristiano Ronaldo would become a selection problem, a conversation that has taken on new weight after Ronaldo’s muted display in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo.

Scholes revealed the exchange on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, saying he pulled Martinez aside off-camera and asked directly whether the 41-year-old forward was a problem. “I did a Stick To Football with Roberto Martinez and I ask him off camera ‘Is he a problem for you?’ I feel he is a little bit of a problem,” Scholes said.

Former England international John Barnes added his own concern, arguing that Ronaldo’s presence distorts the behaviour of those around him. “He negatively impacts on the rest of the players in terms of what they have to give, because they feel they’ve got to pass to him, they’ve got to do that,” Barnes said. Scholes went further, stating: “There’s only one position on the pitch you should be starting a game at 41 years of age, and that’s goalkeeper.”

The criticism follows a difficult evening for Ronaldo in Portugal’s opening group game, which ended in a draw. He failed to score, extending his goalless run in major tournament matches to ten games, and according to Opta registered just 25 touches across the full 90 minutes — his lowest-ever tally in a major tournament match in which he played the full duration.

Martinez, however, has stood firmly behind his captain. Speaking after the game, the former Belgium manager rejected the idea of substituting Ronaldo when Portugal needed a goal. “It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” he told reporters. “For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way that we can use the space is important. And clearly when you look for goals, you need to have Cristiano.”

The debate over Ronaldo’s role is now one of the defining storylines of Portugal’s World Cup campaign, with the Al-Nassr striker’s influence — or lack of it — likely to remain under scrutiny as the tournament progresses.