The latest news emerging ahead of Portugal's Round of 32 knockout match against Croatia at the 2026 World Cup suggests that captain Cristiano Ronaldo may not start in this crucial encounter. Instead, the 41-year-old could begin the game on the bench, with a potential appearance later depending on how the match unfolds. The match is scheduled to take place in Toronto around July 2, with a win-or-go-home format that will determine who advances to the Round of 16.
According to observations from Portugal's training sessions and related media reports, Ronaldo has played virtually every minute of the group stage — logging over 270 minutes of action. The heavy workload, combined with his age, has led coach Roberto Martinez to consider tactical adjustments for this match. Meanwhile, social media has been abuzz with speculation that Ronaldo may be named among the substitutes, sparking heated debate among fans. However, no official lineup has been confirmed, and the starting XI is typically announced only one to two hours before kick-off.
Analysts suggest that after Portugal's opening 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, some voices have questioned whether Ronaldo should continue to start in high-intensity matches, with suggestions that younger forwards such as Gonçalo Inácio or João Félix could inject fresh energy into the attack. Furthermore, Ronaldo's heavy minutes in the group stage have raised concerns about his fitness for a demanding knockout run.
Martinez has historically favoured a stable core lineup but has also stated publicly that he makes decisions based on player data and physical condition. While he has not explicitly guaranteed Ronaldo a starting spot, there is a growing sense that rotation becomes more likely as the tournament enters the knockout phase.
Portugal still boast attacking options including Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto. Should Ronaldo be deployed from the bench, he could still prove to be a game-changer in the second half.
Notably, if Ronaldo is indeed named as a substitute, some have drawn parallels to a potential "last dance" narrative — coming on late in the game, possibly even facing off once more against Croatia's Luka Modrić on the World Cup knockout stage, adding a dramatic chapter to the stories of two legendary players.
However, all of this remains speculative at this stage, with the final starting lineup to be confirmed by official sources before the match.
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