Former France international Thierry Henry has publicly softened his criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the veteran forward remains an important figure for Portugal after the team’s disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the DR Congo national football team in their opening match of the tournament, which is being staged across United States, Mexico and Canada.
The result triggered widespread scrutiny of Ronaldo, who has faced intense attention following Portugal’s underwhelming opening performance. Much of the discussion surrounding the Portuguese captain came after his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, produced a standout display for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria.
Messi scored a hat-trick to guide Argentina to a significant victory, a performance that inevitably drew comparisons with Ronaldo’s outing for Portugal and intensified debate over the role of the veteran forward within the national team.
Henry’s Earlier Remarks Sparked Debate
Among those to question Ronaldo’s influence was Henry, whose comments attracted considerable attention due to his status as one of football’s most respected former players.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker had previously suggested that Portugal required goals rather than a focus on Ronaldo himself, a remark widely interpreted as criticism of what he viewed as an overly individualistic approach from the Portuguese captain.
Given Henry’s reputation as a World Cup-winning player and one of the most celebrated forwards of his generation, the comments quickly became a major talking point among football supporters and pundits.
However, the Frenchman has now adopted a markedly different position, moving away from criticism and instead offering strong support for Ronaldo.
Responsibility Lies With Coaching Staff, Says Henry
Speaking during a recent media appearance, Henry argued that responsibility for Portugal’s struggles should not be placed solely on Ronaldo.
Instead, he pointed to the national team’s coaching staff, led by Spanish manager Roberto Martinez, suggesting they must find ways to maximise the effectiveness of their star player and the squad as a whole.
Henry said: “If we look at what happened, many were talking about Lionel Messi as the solution, while some were suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo might be a problem for Portugal.”
He continued: “A player like Ronaldo can never be a problem for any team at all. He is a solution, and it is the responsibility of the coaching staff and the team to make him a better and more effective solution in front of the opponents’ goal.”
The comments represent a significant shift from Henry’s earlier assessment and underline his belief that Ronaldo remains capable of playing a decisive role for Portugal despite criticism following the draw.
Crucial Matches Ahead for Portugal
Portugal’s campaign now enters a critical phase as they attempt to secure qualification for the knockout rounds.
The team will face Uzbekistan national football team on 23 June before taking on the Colombia national football team on 28 June.
Those fixtures are expected to determine whether Portugal can progress to the round of 32 and put their disappointing opening result behind them.
For now, however, attention remains firmly fixed on Ronaldo, whose performances continue to generate debate. While critics have questioned his impact after Portugal’s opening match, Henry’s latest remarks suggest that one of football’s most respected voices believes the veteran forward should still be viewed as a vital part of Portugal’s World Cup ambitions rather than the source of their problems.
