Agbonlahor Calls for Ronaldo to Be Dropped Ahead of Portugal-Uzbekistan World Cup Game
Former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez to consider leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of the starting XI for the upcoming World Cup fixture against Uzbekistan.
Agbonlahor argued that the 41‑year‑old forward is no longer performing at his peak and should not remain on the field when he struggles to impact the game.
He pointed out that Portugal possesses sufficient attacking talent to begin matches without depending on the Al‑Nassr striker.
“I don’t think he should start,” Agbonlahor said. “I look at the squad, I see other strikers who could be given the chance ahead of Ronaldo.”
Even if Martinez decides to field Ronaldo, the veteran should be taken off early if the match is not going Portugal’s way, he added.
“If you start him and it isn’t working, bring him off after 55 to 60 minutes,” Agbonlahor explained.
The former Villa captain also criticised Ronaldo’s current style of play, claiming it does not aid Portugal’s attack.
“He’s not holding the ball up. He drops too deep and tries to operate as a number 10,” Agbonlahor said. “It’s simply not working.”
He concluded that Ronaldo is past his best, stating plainly: “CR7, for whatever people think, he’s past his best. End of story.”
Agbonlahor suggested that Ronaldo’s reputation and ego may be influencing his continued selection.
He linked the forward’s desire to keep leading Portugal to his long‑standing rivalry with Lionel Messi, who recently won the World Cup.
“It’s ego, isn’t it? Cristiano Ronaldo could be seen as bigger than Portugal itself,” Agbonlahor remarked. “Messi, his biggest rival this generation, has lifted the trophy. Ronaldo is thinking, I can do that too.”
As Portugal’s all‑time leading scorer, Ronaldo will remain a focal point as Martinez’s side progresses through the World Cup tournament.
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