A soccer player from the Democratic Republic of the Congo assessed Ronaldo's performance after the draw at the 2026 World Cup
Ngalayel Mukau, a midfielder for the Democratic Republic of the Congo national team, commented on the performance of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after the 2026 World Cup group stage match, which ended in a draw — 1–1.
In the match against the African team, the 41-year-old Ronaldo failed to make a significant impact, and after the game received a mixed review from his opponent.
A player from the DR Congo national team acknowledged that the legendary Portuguese star is no longer playing at the same level he did during the prime of his career.
“We know he’s not the same player he used to be. That’s why we knew he wouldn’t be running as much. I expected maybe a little more from him, but that’s normal—he’s getting older. It’s an honor for me to play against him,” Mukau said.
The match against the DR Congo was a disappointment for the star forward, and not just because of the lack of goals or assists.
According to match statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo had only 25 touches on the ball, marking his worst performance at a major international tournament in his entire career.
Despite this, the forward remains a key figure for the Portuguese national team, which, after an opening draw, continues to fight for a spot in the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
In the first round of the group stage, the Portuguese national team unexpectedly failed to defeat the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, causing the Portuguese to drop crucial points right at the start of the tournament.
After the first round, Portugal has one point and is tied in the Group K standings, which also includes Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the DR Congo. The upcoming matches could prove decisive in the race for a spot in the playoffs.
The 2026 World Cup hasn’t even started yet, but it’s already making history as the tournament with a record number of players aged 40 and older taking the field. A total of eight veteran players have made their national team rosters, which is more than in all previous World Cups combined.
As a reminder, the UAF is resuming the U21 national championship in Ukraine.
Also, a Turkish powerhouse is eyeing Dynamo’s top player.
