After strongly criticizing Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal’s 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thierry Henry has noticeably softened his stance. The former French striker appears to have reconsidered his assessment of the Portuguese captain’s role within the national team.
Henry’s change of tone came within just a few hours. Working as a pundit for Fox Sports, he had initially criticized Ronaldo’s behavior during an attacking move. According to Henry, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner prioritized his desire to score over the team’s interests, unintentionally disrupting a promising opportunity for Bruno Fernandes.
Henry Reassesses Ronaldo’s Influence
“The team needs goals, not you,” the 1998 World Cup winner had said, suggesting that the Al-Nassr forward was sometimes too focused on improving his personal statistics.
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However, only a few hours later, Henry adopted a very different message. He emphasized Ronaldo’s importance to the Portuguese squad, stating: “Cristiano Ronaldo will never be a problem for a team. He is a solution. The responsibility of the coaching staff and the team is to make him an even more effective solution.”
At 41 years old, Ronaldo continues to divide opinion. Between his vast experience, legendary status, and performances that are sometimes questioned, his influence on Portugal remains one of the major talking points of the 2026 World Cup. One thing is certain: despite his earlier criticism, Henry no longer seems to view the Portuguese captain as an obstacle to his nation’s ambitions.
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