Forlán says Ronaldo’s fixed ‘9’ role is hurting Portugal

Portugal advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after a solid group stage, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice against Uzbekistan. Despite the goals, observers noted that Ronaldo’s tendency to remain centrally positioned limited the team’s fluidity in attack.

Former Manchester United teammate and 1998 World Cup Golden Boot winner Diego Forlán criticized the approach, saying the static ‘9’ role disrupted the attacking rhythm and hurt Portugal’s overall performance. Forlán’s comments have sparked a debate about tactical flexibility for the Portuguese side.