Cristiano Ronaldo footage alarms football fans ahead of sixth World Cup with Portugal

Football fans have reacted after footage of Cristiano Ronaldo missing a free header went viral on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old started for Portugal in their 2-1 victory over Chile, with Roberto Martinez's men securing victory following second half goals from Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes.

During the match, when Portugal were given a corner, the ball was whipped in towards Ronaldo.

The Al-Nassr star showed a burst of speed to create room for himself but failed to bury the header, which then sailed over the bar.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Ronaldo is arguably one of the best headers of the ball on the planet, even at the grand old age of 41.

But some football fans on X have expressed concerns that the former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star won't be able to light up this summer's World Cup.

"Portugal really carrying this man to the World Cup? Be honest," were the words of one user.

A second said: "If he actually starts for Portugal, they will not win the World Cup no way."

pic.twitter.com/8EBSi86YOi

— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) June 6, 2026

Another wrote: "This is not the Cristiano Ronaldo we know from before."

A fourth said: "Portugal got a beast team but Ronaldo will make them lose another World Cup I swear."

And a fifth opined: "Damn, Ronaldo is gone."

Others, however, were keen to defend the veteran.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

• Lee Dixon sparks fan backlash with comments on England star in underwhelming New Zealand win
• Tyson Fury to spend £42m on 'retirement present' for himself ahead of Anthony Joshua fight
• Rory McIlroy reveals major UK move with wife Erica Stoll

Instead of focusing on his missed header, they hailed his movement inside the box.

"People laugh, but his positioning was perfect, the thing is he just threw it to hell," said one supporter.

Another backed him by saying: "Are we really going to criticise his ability for headers? Let’s be serious. I’m sure it’s alot more difficult to become as good as he is with them than to run a social media page."

And a third said: "Y’all hate on everything this guy does. It’s cringe."

This summer will be Ronaldo's sixth, and last, chance to win the World Cup.

His first outing in the big tournament came back in 2006, with the team making the semi-finals that year.

In 2010, Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the round of 16 before they were eliminated by Spain following a 1-0 defeat.

Four years later, in Brazil, Ronaldo and his teammates had a World Cup to forget as they crashed out in the group stages.

In 2018, Ronaldo and Portugal made the round of 16, with Uruguay then inflicting a shock 2-1 defeat.

Last time out, in Qatar, it was Morocco who ended their dreams of glory - with Ronaldo crying as he walked off the pitch following yet another agonising defeat.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter