Former England striker Chris Sutton has launched a scathing attack on Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday morning (AEST). Ronaldo's World Cup career came to a teary end when Mikel Merino scored in stoppage time to give Spain a 1-0 victory in the round of 16 clash. The 41-year-old scored three goals in this year's tournament, but was widely criticised for his performances that were a shadow of his peak.
Sutton blames Ronaldo and Martinez for Portugal's exit
Sutton, who played once for England, blamed Portugal's manager Roberto Martinez for keeping Ronaldo on the pitch. "He's waddling around the field like a grandad, that's why Portugal are out," Sutton said on BBC. "Cristiano Ronaldo does nothing; he did nothing. What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much? Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez."
Pundits have debated whether Portugal would have been better off leaving Ronaldo on the bench, given he failed to create a single chance for a teammate.
Ronaldo reflects on his last World Cup
Ronaldo departs football's biggest stage as the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233). However, he was unwilling to make a hasty call on his international future and told reporters in the mixed zone that Spain enjoyed "a bit of luck" to score through substitute Merino in the dying moments of a match he felt could have swung either way.
"I'm sad to be leaving the World Cup like this," the superstar said. "I gave it my all. I did my best and I'm leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won't be making any rash decisions."
The 41-year-old stopped short of confirming whether he had played his final game for Portugal, saying he did not want a personal decision to overshadow the team's campaign. "I don't make decisions in the heat of the moment," he said.
Ronaldo proud of his Portugal legacy
Ronaldo, who helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship plus the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, said he was proud of his contribution to the national team. "I've won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn't won a single title," the Al-Nassr forward said. "The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup."
Portugal's exit also came with Martinez's departure as manager, and Ronaldo offered warm words for the Spaniard. "I loved working with him," he added. "A great manager, a great human being and what he's done for Portugal is to be commended. I want to thank him and wish him every happiness. It's always sad to be knocked out of a major tournament. It's a World Cup. The team was really coming into its own. We played well, in my view. It could have gone either way, but that's football. We have to pick ourselves up and carry on. It's frustrating to go out like this, but we can hold our heads high."
