Is Ronaldo holding Portugal hostage?

"It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals," said Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez (via ESPN) in the post-match press conference following his team's 1-1 draw against DR Congo in its World Cup opener, when asked whether he though about subbing off Cristiano Ronaldo.

And the Spaniard is right on one point - CR7 is the best goal scorer in football, though we won't get into how he continues to rack up goals.

However, relying on the team's best player is one thing, and playing for him is completely opposite. Yesterday, Ronaldo did not play for Portugal - Portugal played for Ronaldo.

The Navigators' strategy was visible from the first moment: get the ball to the flanks and try to find Cristiano in the box. In the sixth minute, it paid off, as Joao Neves exploited the lack of the Congolese defence's attention - or rather their focus on CR7 - and scored with a header.

Nevertheless, Sebastien Desabre's squad is too good and experienced to fall for the same trick twice.

Fifty-two years, three days and one Wissa's header that made history - and Ronaldo miserable!

At no point did Portugal try to change anything. Countless crosses and no benefit. Ronaldo was invisible, cut off, and starved of service.

A team with arguably the best midfield in the tournament, with Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes, who produce magic week in, week out all over Parc des Princes, Old Trafford, and other grounds all around Europe, looked toothless, uninspired, and unimaginative.

Can you believe it?! The midfield duo of the back-to-back Champions League winner and the best Premier League playmaker, who broke the record for most assists in a single campaign lacked creativity?!

Ghana score 95th minute winner to stun Panama

Uncanny.

The Portuguese built everything around Ronaldo, their gameplay revolved around him, they put all their eggs in one basket, and eventually fell short, sacrificing a victory.

The situation from the 69th minute perhaps best reflects the state of the Navigators' play: Francisco Conceicao finally managed to make a run through the right flank and send a decent ball inside. Bruno Fernandes was in a terrific position to just place it into the net from close range. However, Ronaldo nipped in front of him and struck from a tight angle, missing the target and denying the Manchester United captain of a certain goal and his team of a potential winner.

In 90 minutes against the Leopards, Cristiano didn't make a single shot on target or key pass, didn't complete a dribble or create a big chance. He wasn't involved in Neves' goal, as this was his 10th consecutive goalless game in major tournaments (EURO/World Cup).

Perhaps the pressure after Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland's terrific performances was too overwhelming. The expectations were high, and we all know CR7 considers himself the best, so when others deliver, he has to step up as well.

If that was the case, he clearly cracked under that pressure.

Nobody is even afraid of him. Desabre and his men didn't even have a special plan to stop him.

“To be honest, not really, because we know he’s not the same as before. He’s a bit older now. But still, he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game, so much respect to him.”

“When you get old like that, for sure you cannot do the same efforts that you can make. But still, I have too much respect for him. He’s one of the greatest players to play the game, so yeah," said the DR Congo midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau after the game via Yahoo Sports.

In the end, the conclusion is quite clear.

Are you not entertained! Incredible Kane and Jude top resilient Croatia

Portugal seem to be suffering with Ronaldo on the pitch, so Martinez will have a huge decision to make ahead of his team's second-round clash against Uzbekistan (June 23, 20.00).

Perhaps it's time to bench the 41-year-old and let the team breathe. Perhaps it's time for Goncalo Ramos.

With full awareness of how harsh this may sound, especially for those who grew up on CR7's magic - perhaps Portugal would be better off without Ronaldo.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group K

Tuesday 23.06

20.00: (1.22) Portugal (6.50) Uzbekistan (13.0)

Wednesday 24.06.

05.00: (1.50) Colombia (3.90) DR Congo (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***