Jay Bothroyd Urges Cristiano Ronaldo to Accept Impact Role, Says He Cannot Be Lionel Messi

Former Jay Bothroyd has sparked debate by claiming Cristiano Ronaldo should consider stepping away from Portugal’s starting lineup, insisting the veteran forward can no longer influence games the way he once did.

Bothroyd argued that Ronaldo should accept a reduced role with the national team and become an impact substitute rather than a guaranteed starter as Portugal continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England international said Ronaldo’s current level does not match that of his long-time rival Lionel Messi.

“I have to be honest, I think if Ronaldo is a team player, I think he should step down and understand that he has to be a player that comes off the bench as an impact player,” Bothroyd said.

“Is he ever going to do that? Nope, I don’t think he is. And that is my point.”

Bothroyd also suggested that Ronaldo’s career has often been compared with Messi’s, but believes the Portuguese star has fallen short in that debate.

“I look at Ronaldo and… it looks like it’s all about him, yeah? You know, and he’s always chasing Messi all the time,” he added.

“He is never going to be Lionel Messi, but what he has throughout his career, he’s made the absolute most out of his career.”

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr FC, remains one of the most decorated players in football history, holding numerous scoring records and continuing to play at the highest level despite his age.

The debate over his role in Portugal’s team has continued to grow as the forward enters the later stages of his career. While critics believe Portugal may need a tactical adjustment, supporters argue that Ronaldo’s experience, leadership and goalscoring ability still make him valuable.

For Portugal manager Roberto Martínez, the challenge remains finding the right balance between respecting a national icon and building a team capable of competing for major honours.