Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Clear Message After Portugal Draw With Congo DR

The major stars have been on display in the past several days of World Cup action, including strong starts for Kylian Mbappe with France, Erling Haaland with Norway, and Lionel Messi for Argentina.

While Mbappe and Haaland each scored twice in their team’s opening wins, Messi did them one better, achieving a hat-trick in Argentina’s victory over Algeria.

On early Wednesday afternoon, it was time for Cristiano Ronaldo to step up and put on a strong performance with Portugal as they faced the Congo DR in Miami, Florida.

Unfortunately, Ronaldo couldn’t follow suit with fellow stars Mbappe, Haaland, or Messi, coming up scoreless throughout the match. His teammate, midfielder João Neves, was able to head in a cross from Pedro Neto just six minutes in, giving Portugal the 1-0 lead.

However, Congo DR would later make history, scoring their first-ever goal at the World Cup, to tie it 1-1. Portugal was unable to break that, settling for a 1-1 draw to start Group K.

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Following that disappointing result, Ronaldo took to social media to express his thoughts moving forward in this year’s event.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game,” he wrote in a translated version of his message on X.

It opened the door for plenty of early criticism against a player considered one of the greatest in the world, along with Messi, as fans reacted to his post.

Commenters wrote, “Better retire,” “Leave the game before the game leaves you,” and “at this point we know who the GOAT is.”

Ronaldo has eight goals and two assists in his World Cup appearances, which began in 2006. However, he’s yet to win a World Cup, and is nowhere near the all-time goals record, while Messi’s hat trick has tied him for the lead.

Mbappe is also up there on that goals list, and his France team is considered among the top contenders to win this year’s World Cup.

It’s certainly a bad start for Ronaldo in his sixth World Cup appearance, although this is only the Group stage of the event. He and Portugal have a chance to redeem themselves with their next match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, June 23.

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 3:02 PM.