'Team needs to score. Not you': France legend Thierry Henry tears into Cristiano Ronaldo for selfish act in 1-1 draw vs Congo

France's 1998 World Cup-winner Thierry Henry did not hold back in his criticism for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. Henry felt that Ronaldo was selfish in trying to score himself by getting in the 'path of the back pass'. Ronaldo had a forgettable outing with just 25 touches in the entire match as Congo held Portugal for a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign opener.

"Because he wants to score, he goes in the path of the back pass, you see both players, and it's easier for you to defend. And that's my thing: The team needs to score. Not you," Henry said on Fox’s post-match analysis show.

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Henry referred to an attacking play in the second half including Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes. He feels that Ronaldo's intervention made it easier for Congo's defenders. The 41-year-old ended up not getting a shot on target with the ball going wide right.

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He went on to say that had Portugal not taken the shot and let the attack move forward, it would've been a tap-in for Fernandes helping Portugal take a 2-1 lead.

Playing his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo got just 25 matches. He had a shy at the goal thrice but did not have a single shot on target. His goalless run raises questions for Portugal as they face Uzbekistan next on June 23.

Bench or play around Ronaldo?

But, Portugal's problems don't just start and end with Ronaldo. They were poor against Congo overall despite controlling the possession for three-fourth part of the game. While Neves scored early, Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Vitinha weren't able to breach Congo's defense.

But, Henry does not want Ronaldo to be benched. He wants the team to find the right balance which helps Ronaldo play as per his strengths.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has already been asked whether he would consider not having Ronaldo as a starter. Martinez backed Ronaldo, saying that it won't make sense to keep the best world scorer out of the game when the team needs goals.