Portugal's recent victory over Croatia, which secured their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, has sparked renewed discussions about Cristiano Ronaldo's role in the team. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, speaking as a pundit for Fox Sports, delivered a scathing critique of the veteran forward, questioning whether Portugal can truly compete for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 41-year-old Ronaldo leading the attack.

Ibrahimovic's Criticism of Ronaldo

Ibrahimovic expressed skepticism about Portugal's chances, stating, "You can't expect to win anything in 2026 with a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack." He highlighted the presence of Gonçalo Ramos, who scored after coming off the bench, as evidence that the team could benefit from younger talent. The former AC Milan and Manchester United striker suggested that Ronaldo's continued selection is more about his legendary status than his current form, asserting, "This isn't 'legendary leadership.' It's the ego that's holding the team hostage." Ibrahimovic emphasized that Ronaldo has lost the movement and finishing ability that once made him a formidable striker.

Portugal's Dramatic Win

Despite the criticism, Portugal managed a thrilling comeback against Croatia. After Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia, Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot, marking his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup during his sixth tournament appearance. The match concluded dramatically when Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the 94th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for Portugal. Croatia nearly forced extra time with a late goal from Josko Gvardiol, but it was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed an offside in the build-up.

This win not only advanced Portugal to the next round but also extended their unbeaten record against Croatia in competitive matches. They will now face Spain in what promises to be an exciting Round of 16 clash.