Katia Aveiro turned Portugal’s frustrating World Cup opener into a wider argument about how Roberto Martinez’s team used Cristiano Ronaldo.
The draw with DR Congo looked bad on the scoreboard.
It looked even worse once Portugal’s attack stopped moving with purpose.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Katia, slams Portugal’s display
Katia posted after Portugal’s 1-1 draw that the national team had suddenly lost the basics that usually make them dangerous.
“Magically, they forgot how to: • Pass the ball around • Win the ball back • Launch counter-attacks. The game became all about passing backwards in midfield… Strange World Cup. Very strange.”
That echoed one of the main arguments from Ronaldo supporters. Portugal had the ball for long stretches, but the service into their captain was often slow, predictable or crowded out by DR Congo’s back line.
There is evidence for that complaint. Fox Sports listed Portugal with 75 percent possession, 26 crosses, and only 0.75 expected goals. NDTV noted Ronaldo had not taken a single shot after 66 minutes, despite Portugal repeatedly putting balls into the box.
The defense of Ronaldo only goes so far. When he finally did get chances, he did not make them count. NDTV recorded him with two poor shots off target, while Sky Sports said he missed two huge opportunities in the 68th and 73rd minutes.
Sky’s analysis was even sharper, arguing that Ronaldo often looked like he was taking up space and noting he had fewer touches than almost every Portugal starter despite playing the full 90 minutes.
Who is to blame for Portugal’s draw with Cristiano Ronaldo
The fairest answer is shared blame, but the numbers make Ronaldo part of the discussion rather than just a victim of poor service.
Roberto Martinez admitted Portugal lost attacking depth and fluency after Joao Neves’ sixth-minute opener. That matches Katia’s complaint about backwards passing and the lack of counter-attacks.
If Portugal starts a 41-year-old Ronaldo, the team has to create a higher quality delivery for him. He is still the country’s greatest goalscorer, still dangerous in the box, and still capable of deciding a game from one clean look.
At the same time, choosing Ronaldo changes the team’s physical profile. His limited explosiveness, lower pressing range, and reduced ability to separate from defenders mean Portugal cannot simply dominate territory and expect him to solve every stagnant attack.
That is why the opener raised uncomfortable questions. Portugal did not feed Ronaldo well enough, but Ronaldo also did not produce enough when the ball finally arrived. Katia called the performance strange. The concern for Portugal is that it may have been revealing.
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