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Legend slams "ego and nostalgia-driven madness" of Ronaldo
SEN • July 5th, 2026 4:49 pm
Cristiano Ronaldo is an “ego holding Portugal hostage” and the team cannot win the World Cup until he is dropped, according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Portugal has set up a mouthwatering last 16 clash with Spain but former AC Milan star Ibrahimovic said they will never reach their potential until changes are made with Ronaldo.
“This isn’t legendary leadership. It’s the ego that’s holding the team hostage,” Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports.
"Portugal fans could have expected what's happening. You can't expect to win anything in 2026 with a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack. Especially since Ramos is on the bench, having come on and scored.
“Ronaldo has lost his touch and mobility. Now he’s just in the box… At this point, his aura is supporting him more than his legs.
“Continuing to start him is pure nostalgia-driven madness.”
Ronaldo, who made history at this World Cup by becoming the first player to score in six different tournaments, scored a penalty in his side’s victory over Croatia but many will argue they were lucky the match didn’t go to extra time.
Josko Gvardiol had a goal disallowed in extra time which prompted a furious rection from Ibrahimovic who claims the decision was made in order to keep Ronaldo in the competition.
"It was a fantastic match ruined in the end by VAR. I saw nothing irregular about the 2-2 goal; VAR disallowed it, but for me, it was a robbery,” he said.
“Either the sensor in the ball wasn't working or something went wrong, because Renato Veiga touched the ball, which means there was no offside.
"Look at the angle: Croatia's number 20 doesn't touch the ball, nor does he change its trajectory in the slightest. It's Portugal's number 13 (Veiga) who touches it!
"An opponent touches it, and suddenly the Croatian goalscorer is offside? Absurd! The Croatians, who had fought with all their hearts, were denied a dream moment at this World Cup.
“To disallow a goal in the 90th minute, the decision must be crystal clear. Here, it wasn't at all. This wasn't refereeing. It was an outright theft. For me, it's clear they (FIFA) wanted Portugal and Ronaldo to reach the Round of 16 to face Spain."
