A few days before the match between Portugal and Croatia in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, one of the most forceful criticisms of the performance of the Portuguese team came from a voice with experience in the international elite. Diego Forlán, former Uruguayan striker and former Atlético de Madrid player, questioned Cristiano Ronaldo's current role within the game system and assured that his offensive presence is affecting the team's collective performance.

The former soccer player's statements arose after analyzing the moment that Portugal is going through in the tournament, where the team led by Roberto Martínez has alternated convincing performances with more discreet ones, despite having one of the most recognized squads in the championship.

Forlán focused his observations on the role played by the Portuguese captain within the attack.

As he explained, the problem is not due to the forward's individual quality but rather the way he interprets his position on the field.

Forlán's tactical criticism of Cristiano's role

The former Uruguayan international described Cristiano, who was his teammate at Manchester United, as an attacker who was excessively fixed within the rival area and considered that this behavior reduces the team's offensive variants.

“He plays as a fixed center forward,” said Forlán, before adding that this lack of movement “completely limits” the Portuguese attack.

In his analysis, he explained that the forward remains close to the goal waiting for the ball and participates less and less in the construction of plays. “He says to himself: 'I'll stay here to score,' but he doesn't realize that it's hurting his team,” he said.

Forlán argued that this permanence facilitates the defensive work of the rivals because it concentrates the attention of the center backs and eliminates spaces that other footballers could take advantage of.

"The two center backs stay with him; one takes reference and the other covers spaces. By not moving, the gaps disappear and no one can surprise by entering from behind," he said.

To explain his idea he resorted to a specific image: "All attacks end at one point, like a narrow funnel. Portugal does not take advantage of the opportunities because everything goes to Ronaldo, who stays still in the center."

The effect on Portugal before the duel with Croatia

Forlán insisted that he does not consider Cristiano a problem for the team, but he does believe that the forward needs to modify certain behaviors to enhance the rest of the squad.

“It's not a problem, but you have to understand that you need to leave the area and move more,” he said.

From his point of view, greater mobility would allow for better use of the characteristics of footballers such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão, players who depend on finding passing lines and interior spaces to generate danger.

He also proposed a direct solution for the Portuguese captain: "If he opened himself to the wings, he would create spaces for the others. He is very static and that exposes the team."

The statements come at a decisive stage of the World Cup. Portugal prepares to face Croatia in the round of 32 as the debate continues over Cristiano Ronaldo's role within Roberto Martínez's scheme.

Forlán, who also evaluated the recent draw against Colombia, maintained the same line of argument and summarized his position with another forceful phrase: "Cristiano is at nine and stays there to take advantage of the goal. He no longer goes out to look for it and ends up conditioning Portugal."

For the former Uruguayan forward, the adjustment that the Portuguese team needs is easy to propose: “You have to tell them: ‘Move, get out of there, you are going to have goals.’ If it does not change, the team will continue attacking in a funnel.”