2026 World Cup: Portugal ‘Boycotted’ Cristiano Ronaldo, Says France Legend Youri Djorkaeff

:France's 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff has criticised Portugal's players over what he believes was their failure to support captain Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Djorkaeff, who made 82 appearances for France and helped his country win the 1998 World Cup, argued that Portugal did not create the right conditions for Ronaldo to thrive during what proved to be his final World Cup campaign.

Speaking to The Real Champs, as quoted by RMC Sport, the former forward claimed Ronaldo was left isolated by his teammates.

“When you have Cristiano Ronaldo, the team must adapt to play for him, which did not occur at all. One could argue that he was boycotted by his own teammates.

“They failed to support him and did not create optimal conditions for his performance.”

Djorkaeff also insisted that Portugal's other star players should have assumed greater responsibility instead of relying heavily on their veteran captain.

He singled out midfielders Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, saying they needed to contribute more during the tournament.

“At some point, players like Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and others needed to rise to the occasion and share the responsibility. It is unreasonable to expect Cristiano to be the sole solution to every problem. He is not the only player capable of making a significant impact.”

Portugal's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they were eliminated before the latter stages of the tournament, bringing Ronaldo's World Cup career to a close.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has already confirmed that the 2026 edition was his last appearance at the FIFA World Cup. However, he has yet to announce whether he will also retire from international football altogether.

Opinion:

Djorkaeff raises an interesting point about Portugal's collective responsibility, but describing Ronaldo as being "boycotted" may overstate the situation. At 41, the Portuguese icon remains influential, yet modern international football demands contributions from every attacking player. Portugal possess enough quality to avoid depending solely on Ronaldo, and their future success may hinge on finding the right balance between honouring his legacy and empowering the next generation of leaders.