Cristiano Ronaldo faces fresh scrutiny as ex-United star says, 'he should not start' against Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo's place in Portugal's starting lineup has come under fresh debate ahead of the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

The Portuguese captain endured a frustrating outing in his side's tournament opener against DR Congo, where Roberto Martinez's men were held to a 1-1 draw despite taking an early lead. Ronaldo, who is featuring in his final World Cup at the age of 41, failed to find the back of the net and missed several opportunities that could have secured all three points for Portugal.

With Portugal preparing for a crucial Group K fixture in Houston, some pundits have questioned whether the veteran forward should continue leading the line from the opening whistle.

Stewart Robson urges Portugal to consider alternatives

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has become the latest football figure to weigh in on Ronaldo's role within the national team setup. Speaking ahead of Portugal's meeting with Uzbekistan, Robson suggested that Martinez may need to make a difficult selection decision if he wants to get the best out of his squad.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Robson said:

"I don’t think he should start and I wouldn’t have started him at the beginning of the tournament either."

The former midfielder's comments come after criticism surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's display against DR Congo, where Portugal struggled to convert possession and chances into a winning result.

Pressure mounts ahead of key Group K encounter

Portugal entered the tournament among the contenders to make a deep run, but their opening performance raised questions about the team's attacking efficiency. Ronaldo's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities has only intensified scrutiny, especially as other leading stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland have already made significant impacts at the tournament.

Despite the criticism, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most experienced players in international football and continues to be a central figure within the Portuguese squad. Martinez now faces a significant decision ahead of the Uzbekistan clash, with a victory potentially putting Portugal in a strong position to advance from the group stage.

Whether the Portugal manager opts to retain faith in his captain or make a tactical adjustment, Ronaldo's role is set to remain one of the biggest talking points heading into the match.