The Ronaldo Effect: When Superstardom Trumps Teamwork Portugal's exit from the 2026 World Cup at the hands of Spain has been a disappointment, but none more telling than the way Cristiano Ronaldo's presence affected the team's performance.
Former England striker Chris Sutton criticized Portugal coach Roberto Martínez for "pandering" to Ronaldo, suggesting that the Portuguese manager prioritized his star player over the good of the team.
Ronaldo's influence on the team has been evident throughout the tournament. When he plays, Portugal seems revitalized; when he doesn't, they're lost.