The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup has thrown up a number of exciting games, as opposed to drab 0-0 draws. But even if we’ve witnessed a series of great goals from great goalscorers, one name has been missing from the action. Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to open his account at this World Cup, adding to the pressure on a squad trying to find its feet.
As Portugal get set to face Uzbekistan in their second game of the tournament, one more journalist is joining the bandwagon of voices taking aim at Ronaldo’s form.
Mehdi Hasan Highlights Cristiano Ronaldo’s Troubles at 2026 FIFA World Cup
After Lionel Messi delivered another classic Messi clinic in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria, Ronaldo’s problems were once again brought into focus. Messi’s twin strikes took his overall World Cup tally to 18, which means he’s now clear as the world’s top scorer in World Cup history.
Kylian Mbappe also joined the party, scoring two goals of his own in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq, while Norway’s Erling Haaland wasn’t one to be left behind, grabbing two goals in a 3-2 win over Senegal.
As fans took in an incredible day’s worth of action, renowned journalist Mehdi Hasan raised an important point on X.
“All of the modern greats are at this World Cup — Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Salah, Kane — and all of them are scoring great goals. Except one.”
All of the modern greats are at this World Cup – Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Salah, Kane – and all of them are scoring great goals.
Except one.
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 23, 2026
The tweet, of course, was a pointed shot at Ronaldo, whose Portugal side were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener against DR Congo.
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There was plenty of criticism to go around after the game, but one instance stood out. After that draw, Ronaldo’s teammate Joao Neves was asked for his thoughts on Ronaldo’s form, given it might be his last World Cup.
“We know what Cristiano Ronaldo has done for our national team and for the world of football. But at this moment I feel that for him, and for everyone, he’s one of us, one more guy trying to help. He’s no different to the rest of us, and he will contribute like we all will,” was Neves’s answer.
What followed was an avalanche of criticism, as Ronaldo’s fans took to social media and flooded Neves and his partner’s post with criticism. According to The Athletic, Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo’s partner, also took issue with a fake quote attributed to Neves’s partner.
She reportedly posted a screenshot of said fake quote with a caption that read: “Wow! Look at how the future generations are brought up!” Rodriguez later deleted the post.
With so much noise around the squad, preparations for the Uzbekistan fixture appear to be flying under the radar. Uzbekistan are featuring in their very first World Cup, but the pressure will be on Portugal to leave the mess of the 1-1 draw behind and get in on the World Cup action this time around.
