Ronaldo No Longer the Main Focus, Says DR Congo Player After Historic Draw
In a surprising turn of events at the FIFA World Cup 2026, DR Congo secured its first-ever point in World Cup history by playing to a 1-1 draw against Portugal. After the match, midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau shared that his team had no special tactics in place to stop Cristiano Ronaldo, a statement highlighting a shift in how players view the football icon.
Mukau’s comments were significant, considering Ronaldo’s long-standing reputation as one of the game’s greatest. Reflecting on their strategy, Mukau said, “Honestly, no, we didn’t specifically target Ronaldo. We recognize he’s older now, but he remains one of the best. Much respect to him.”
Throughout the match, Ronaldo faced challenges making an impact. He missed two prime scoring chances in the second half, which frustrated not only him but also his teammates, including Bruno Fernandes, who could be seen reacting to missed opportunities. Ronaldo recorded the fewest touches among Portugal players who were on the field for over 45 minutes, with just 25 touches.
This latest performance adds to his struggle, as he hasn’t scored in his last 10 appearances at major international tournaments. Questions are being raised about whether Ronaldo can still be the decisive player Portugal needs in high-stakes situations.
Despite the draw being a disappointment for Portugal, Ronaldo confidently stated on social media, “This wasn’t the start we wanted, but it’s not over. We need to stay focused for the next game.”
As the tournament progresses, the football world will be watching closely to see how both Ronaldo and Portugal respond.
