The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and the tournament’s biggest stars wasted no time making their mark. Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, while Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace in France’s 3-1 victory against Senegal, and Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway cruised past Iraq 4-1.
But Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in a record-tying sixth World Cup at 41 years old, couldn’t find the scoresheet as Portugal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by DR Congo. Ronaldo managed just 25 touches, the fewest of any Portugal starter, and failed to put a single shot on target. He has been constantly criticized since the match ended, but former NFL wide receiver and well-known soccer fan Chad Johnson came out to defend him.
Chad Johnson Pushes Back on Thierry Henry’s Selfishness Claim About Cristiano Ronaldo
Joao Neves’ early header gave Portugal the lead in a dominant opening six minutes, but the team created almost nothing after that. DR Congo equalized through Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa and finished the match with more shots, more shots on target, and more expected goals than Roberto Martinez’s side.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry led the post-match criticism of Ronaldo during Fox’s broadcast coverage, accusing the Portuguese captain of prioritizing his own goal over the team’s best chance.
Henry pointed to a specific sequence in which Bruno Fernandes appeared better positioned for a finish, but Ronaldo drifted into the passing lane rather than dragging defenders toward the six-yard box. “The team needs to score, not you need to score,” Henry said.
Really good analysis from Henry. This is the Ronaldo issue right now.
He’s playing as a 9, but he’s never been a 9 and he’s not acting as a 9. Not giving Portugal those traits and it hurt them today. pic.twitter.com/yjSaOK2J5J
— Marc Geschwind (@MarcGeschwind) June 17, 2026
Johnson, who has often said Ronaldo is his greatest soccer player of all time, ahead of Messi, replied to a fan who brought up Henry’s criticism of the Portuguese superstar.
Selfish how, did he explain that part❔
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 18, 2026
Johnson then further defended Ronaldo and broke down how the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was playing his role, and other players fell short in doing what they were asked to do.
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“CR7 is holding his line & moving off & away from the ball, him making a run isn’t opening up space for Neves, Bruno or Vitinha when they couldn’t create & win on their own against the defenders in front of them to even see this run you speak of,” Johnson said.
“Argentine players play for Messi, CR7 is a traditional striker now, so he can’t do what Messi does & he’s reliant on his team to facilitate in what he & Haaland do best, finding & manipulating space, angles + scoring,” Johnson added. “Two complete different styles of play between CR7 & Messi.”
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That comparison is true when the performances are placed side by side. Argentina generated a flurry of shots against Algeria, with five coming from Messi alone, because Luis Scaloni’s system is engineered to funnel chances to its best player. Moreover, Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane’s errors on the first two goals also helped Messi, but the supply line was there from the start.
Portugal’s midfield of Neves, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha produced the opposite. After the opening goal, the trio struggled to progress the ball into dangerous areas, and Ronaldo was left isolated against a compact DR Congo back line.
Instead of Ronaldo, the players who should be criticized are Fernandes, Vitinha, Rafael Leao, and Neves, who are all in their prime and collectively failed to create a single clear-cut chance, aside from the opening goal. Yet because Ronaldo is one of the greatest players ever to live, the spotlight defaults to him.
At his age, Ronaldo can’t create for himself and needs service from players around him. If the midfield plays to Ronaldo’s strengths, the noise around the 41-year-old will immediately quieten as the former Real Madrid star doesn’t need many chances to convert them. Hopefully, the Portugal team will play better as a unit in their next match against Uzbekistan.