Alan Hansen Questions Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact After Portugal’s Mixed World Cup Start

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, questioning the impact of the Portugal captain as the tournament moves into the knockout stage.

Ronaldo, now 41, has experienced a difficult start to the competition despite making history along the way. Portugal began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo, where the Al-Nassr forward struggled to influence the game.

He responded strongly in the next match against Uzbekistan, scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 victory. The performance saw him become the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups and the oldest player to score a brace in the tournament.

However, Ronaldo struggled again in Portugal’s final group match against Colombia, a goalless draw in Miami. The veteran forward had limited involvement, recording just two touches inside the opposition box, while losing possession eight times and being caught offside twice, according to ESPN.

Speaking on ESPN Podcasts, former defender Hansen suggested Ronaldo’s lack of pace has affected his movement and positioning.

“In this World Cup, he has been offside more times than I can remember because he knows he needs to get a quick headstart on the defenders because he doesn’t have the pace,” Hansen said.

He added that Ronaldo is finding it difficult to beat defenders and is now most effective when operating inside the penalty area.

Portugal will now face Croatia in the Round of 32 on July 2 in Toronto as Ronaldo looks to lead his team deeper into the tournament.

Opinion: Ronaldo’s numbers and achievements remain extraordinary, but Hansen’s comments highlight the reality of football’s toughest stage — age eventually changes how even the greatest players influence games. The question for Portugal is not whether Ronaldo can still produce magic, but how they can structure the team to maximize his strengths while protecting his limitations.