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Paul Scholes has openly stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is proving to be a 'problem' for Portugal following their disappointing World Cup draw against DR Congo. The former Manchester United midfielder also suggested that his ex-team-mate will be 'so pissed off' to have witnessed Lionel Messi score a hat-trick for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria.

Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup campaign began on a shaky note in Houston as Portugal were held to a draw by a resilient DR Congo side. Joao Neves had given Portugal an early lead, but Roberto Martinez’s men were pegged back by Yoane Wissa’s equaliser and failed to find a winner. The result has placed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner at the centre of a tactical debate about his role in the side.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes did not hold back in his analysis of the 41-year-old’s influence. “I think it’s tough for the manager,” Scholes admitted. “I did a Stick to Football with Roberto Martinez, and I asked him off-camera, ‘Is he a problem for you?’ because I feel he is a bit of a problem. At 41 years old, I think there’s only one position on the pitch where you should be starting a game, and that’s as a goalkeeper, in my opinion.”

Scholes also pointed out that Ronaldo’s frustration is likely intensified by the form of his long-time rivals. While the Al-Nassr striker failed to register a single shot or successful duel in the first half against DR Congo, both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have made flying starts to the tournament, with a hat-trick and a brace respectively in their opening games.

According to Scholes, those performances will be playing on Ronaldo’s mind. “Cristiano will be so pissed off because Lionel Messi got a hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe got two… it will be killing him,” the former England international said. “I feel for Martinez because he’s trying to handle it and saying, ‘No, I’ve got the best goalscorer in the world,’ but deep down he must know it’s affecting his team.”

The heart of Scholes’s criticism revolves around Portugal’s struggle to implement a high-tempo, transition-based style with a 41-year-old Ronaldo up front. The ex-midfielder argued that the physical intensity of top-level international football is too demanding for a player of Ronaldo’s age to sustain across an entire match, especially considering the depth of attacking talent available to Portugal.

Scholes elaborated: “He’s going to score goals in a team that keeps possession, but in transition games, his movement at 41 becomes an issue. Portugal don’t have an exceptional centre-forward, but you need someone who runs. For me, he should come on for the last 15 minutes. You might manage at 41 as a centre-half or goalkeeper, but as a centre-forward, it’s just not right.”

Despite the criticism and Ronaldo’s quiet outing, Roberto Martinez has shown no intention of benching his captain for Portugal’s next group match against Uzbekistan. The former Everton boss defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch for the full game against DR Congo, highlighting the veteran’s unmatched finishing instincts as the reason behind his continued selection.

Martinez explained to reporters: “The lead striker needs to be close to the six-yard box, and we must get the ball to him. It doesn’t make sense to take out the best goalscorer in world football in a game where you need goals. In situations like this, Cristiano’s experience in the box is crucial. The way he draws defenders and creates space is important. And clearly, when you’re looking for goals, you need Cristiano.”

As the tournament progresses, the question remains how far Portugal can advance in the World Cup with Ronaldo leading the line at 41 — and whether Martinez will eventually have to make a difficult decision regarding his captain’s role.