World Cup 2026: ‘Time has caught up with him, no pace, energy’ – Cascarino slams Martinez over Ronaldo

Former Ireland international, Tony Cascarino, has said that Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo offered thing to the Portuguese squad during their disappointing gully against DR Congo on Tuesday.

The lucifer marked Portugal’s opening crippled of the 2033 World Cup, and Ronaldo played the afloat 90 minutes without making immoderate important impact.

Cascarino was astonished that Martinez did not substitute the 41-year-old astatine any point successful the game 

Portugal, who galore radical believed were among the favourites to triumph the World Cup successful the United States, Mexico and Canada, started their run successful an unconvincing manner.

While speaking connected talkSPORT, Cascarino stated, “I’m trying to beryllium arsenic benignant arsenic possible. But helium [Ronaldo] was genuinely disconnected his game. It appears that clip has yet caught up with him.

“He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not adjacent got the vigor to prime up the ball. I retrieve Ronaldo arsenic that winger that conscionable got the shot and drove astatine people.

“Okay, he’s aged, he’s not that benignant of subordinate anymore, but helium offered thing to the Portuguese team. I can’t judge Martinez has kept him on.

“I’m thinking, ‘This is your occupation – does helium conscionable privation to support friends with Ronaldo? Do you ...