The former Liverpool goalkeeper has criticised Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo, arguing that his participation will be detrimental to the national team at the 2026 World Cup.
There is a wide expectation that Ronaldo will play his last World Cup in 2026 when the tournament moves to the United States, Canada and Mexico. Portugal has been drawn in Group 11 along with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. – A group that should be a good scouring for Portugal.
Read: Andy Robertson agrees with new club – just hours after Liverpool exit was announced
But former Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes that the Portuguese star’s participation could hurt his national team – unlike Argentina’s Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami.
In an interview with Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Friedel stated: “All players have to retire at some point. That’s just the way it is, and that goes for Ronaldo as well.”
He added that while Ronaldo is still in good physical shape, his style of play has evolved to the point where it can eventually hamper the team’s overall performance.
At the same time, he acknowledged: “At the same time, he’s not the type of player you can put on the bench. If you dump Ronaldo, it will be the only story everyone talks about during the tournament.”
He added, “I’m grateful that I don’t have to make that decision, because it’s clear that both Messi and Ronaldo are on the decline.”
He further added that Messi, who still plays regularly for Inter Miami, can still score and assist, and is therefore still able to help Argentina – simply because he is Messi. In comparison, Ronaldo offers little, especially when the team has to defend.
He added: “If you’re the manager, can you really face the best team in the world and defend with only ten men? It’s a tough requirement.”
He concluded: “The good thing about Messi is that he has never had to defend himself. Teams have always been built up so that he can move freely on the field. That’s how it’s always been.”
Has told Eddie Howe he is safe, but a “world-class” manager does not wait for two years
