Sports
Can Cristiano Ronaldo break his 10-Match goal drought? Portugal star eyes redemption in crucial world cup clash
The Portuguese legend is under pressure after another quiet outing, but teammates insist the criticism is just “noise” ahead of the must-win clash against Uzbekistan.
Lisbon: All eyes will once again be on Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal prepare for a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage encounter against Uzbekistan.
The 41-year-old superstar heads into the match carrying an unusual burden a 10-game goal drought in major international tournaments, a rare dip for one of football’s greatest-ever goal scorers.
Ronaldo’s struggles continued in Portugal’s opening World Cup fixture, a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, where the veteran forward found himself tightly marked and largely kept out of the game.
His numbers reflected the frustration.
Ronaldo managed just 25 touches, attempted three shots without hitting the target, and won only one duel throughout the match. It was also the second-lowest touch count of his World Cup career as a starter, underlining his limited involvement in Portugal’s attacking build-up.
According to Opta, the drought stretches across both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro Championship, where Ronaldo has managed just one assist and no goals in his last 10 appearances.
That is a sharp contrast to his earlier record in major tournaments.
Across his first 43 matches in these competitions, Ronaldo scored 22 goals and registered eight assists, numbers that helped build his legendary status on the international stage.
Despite the recent dry spell, his overall contribution to Portugal remains unmatched.
ALSO READ : ‘He Couldn’t Resist Chole Bhature…’: Chef Reveals How Anushka Sharma Changed Virat Kohli’s Diet Forever
With 147 goals in 229 appearances, Ronaldo continues to hold the record as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
As criticism grows louder, Portugal defender Ruben Dias has come out strongly in support of his captain.
Dias dismissed the scrutiny as part of the game and insisted the squad remains fully focused.
“It is not an issue for us. It is insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise. It is all part of football,” Dias said.
He also pointed out that pressure is not limited to Ronaldo alone.
“Cristiano is always the major focus, but we are all in the firing line. We isolate ourselves from the noise and focus on our job,” he added.
For Ronaldo, the clash against Uzbekistan now feels bigger than just another group-stage game.
It is a chance to silence critics, end an uncomfortable drought, and remind the world why he remains one of football’s most feared names—even at 41.
