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Gael Clichy suggested Cristiano Ronaldo could be holding Portugal back after they began the World Cup with a draw against DR Congo.
Portugal were one of the favourites to win the World Cup before a ball was kicked but struggled in their opening fixture against minnows DR Congo.
Roberto Martinez’s side looked set for a comfortable evening when Joao Neves headed the European giants ahead inside seven minutes. A Lionel Messi hattrick. A Kylian Mbappe screamer. Erling Haaland's first World Cup goals.
We've got it all in today's World Cup newsletter. Oh, and we're looking ahead to England's crucial opener against Croatia. Legendary striker Ronaldo matched Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s record by playing in a sixth World Cup but was unable to become the first player in history to score in six different tournaments. Clichy believes the presence of Ronaldo up top meant Portugal were not playing ‘naturally’ and suggested they could benefit if the 41-year-old came out of the side.
‘We said at the beginning of the game that Cristiano Ronaldo will be helping young players because of his character, because of his experience, but sometimes unconsciously those kinds of players can take too much light,’ ex-Arsenal,‘When you take them out you can see players take responsibility. This is where the choices of the manager are important because during 90 minutes we were saying will he take him out because we know he has a goal in him.
‘But at the same time, the game is not natural because of him being on the pitch. They tried to go wide because they tried to reach him. Maybe if he wasn’t there they can link up more in the middle of the pitch. DR Congo frustrated European giants Portugal ‘Portugal will be questioning different choices from Roberto Martinez.
But well done to DR Congo because they could’ve won the game. ’‘The story is all about DR Congo and how they grew into the game.
Second half, it was a pretty even game but what a point for DR Congo.
‘Roberto Martinez, I don’t understand some of his management. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery and the game passed him by.
‘Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager. He is not the manager of the Portugal team and that is their issue.
’Thierry Henry's priceless reaction as Zlatan Ibrahimovic awkwardly shuts down US punditsThomas Tuchel told to axe Arsenal star from England's World Cup team ‘The first game of the group is so important and for Portugal to perform the way they have performed, you want to see more energy, I want to see more legs in the team,’ he said.
‘I want to see players run past Cristiano Ronaldo at times. I think it was a poor performance from Portugal.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats are never going to be the best, so what he needs are chances. If he gets chances, and a good chance, he will score goals. Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Phil HaighThierry Henry's priceless reaction as Zlatan Ibrahimovic awkwardly shuts down US punditsEngland team to face Croatia in World Cup leaked ahead of kick-off
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