For years, facing Cristiano Ronaldo meant building an entire game plan around stopping him. After DR Congo’s historic 1-1 draw with Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026, midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau suggested those days may be gone, revealing his side had no special strategy to contain the 41-year-old.
Mukau made the candid remarks after helping DR Congo earn their first-ever World Cup point, more than five decades after Zaire’s only previous appearance at the tournament in 1974. His comments offered a glimpse into how opponents now view Ronaldo, still one of football’s greatest players, but no longer the unstoppable force who once shaped every defensive plan.
Speaking after the match, Mukau said DR Congo had not put together any special plans to stop Ronaldo, a statement that quickly caught attention given the Portugal captain’s status as one of the greatest players in football history.
“To be honest, no, not really,” Mukau said when asked if his side had targeted Ronaldo specifically. “We know that Ronaldo isn’t the same as before. He’s a bit older now. Still, he’s one of the greatest, much respect to him. But he is older now.”
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The midfielder maintained his stance when pressed further, while continuing to praise the 41-year-old.
“For sure, when you get older, it’s not the same. It’s not the same efforts you can make. But still, too much respect for him. One of the greatest to play the game.”
Mukau’s comments came after another frustrating night for Ronaldo, who struggled to impose himself on the contest as Portugal failed to overcome a spirited Congolese side.
The Portugal captain missed two good chances in the second half, both from close range, as Roberto Martinez’s side were forced to settle for a draw. One of those opportunities drew a visible reaction from Bruno Fernandes, who had been positioned behind Ronaldo and appeared better placed to finish.
Ronaldo also recorded just 25 touches during the match, the fewest among Portugal players who featured for more than 45 minutes.
The six-time World Cup participant is now without a goal in his last 10 matches at major international tournaments, including World Cups and European Championships.
While the statistic is likely to fuel further debate over Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s attack, the veteran forward was not helped by a lacklustre team performance. Portugal struggled to create sustained pressure and rarely supplied Ronaldo with quality service inside the penalty area.
Nevertheless, questions continue to be asked about whether the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star can still be the difference-maker Portugal need on the biggest stage.
Ronaldo struck a defiant tone after the match, insisting Portugal’s World Cup campaign remained firmly on course despite the disappointing start.
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game,” Ronaldo wrote on social media.
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