2026 World Cup Drama: Ronaldo’s sister attacks Bruno Fernandes, internal turmoil erupts within Portugal after disappointing opening match.
The 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo not only cost Portugal their advantage at the 2026 World Cup but also fueled speculation about internal conflicts within the team.
Portugal is going through turbulent times after the disappointing draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Considered one of the strong contenders for the title, Roberto Martinez’s team disappointed by only securing one point against a much weaker opponent.
Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead, but Yoane Wissa equalized for Congo just before halftime. For the remainder of the match, despite superior possession, the European team couldn’t find the winning goal.
This result immediately sparked a wave of fierce criticism from the media and Portuguese fans. The player most frequently mentioned, of course, is Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 41, the Al Nassr superstar continued to be given a starting spot but delivered a rather lackluster performance. Ronaldo only touched the ball 25 times throughout the match, failed to register a single shot on target, and created almost no significant chances for his team.
Many believe it’s time for coach Roberto Martinez to take a tougher stance with CR7, perhaps even benching him to give opportunities to younger attacking options. However, amidst Ronaldo becoming the target of criticism, another development has drawn particular attention.
Katia Aveiro – Ronaldo’s sister – was discovered to have “liked” an Instagram post criticizing Bruno Fernandes. The post argued that the Manchester United midfielder always plays well at club level but fails to perform similarly for the national team. The author even compared Bruno Fernandes to Raphinha of Brazil – a player who has faced much criticism after the first round of World Cup matches.
Although Katia didn’t directly comment or make any further statements, her interaction with the post was enough to cause a social media frenzy. Many fans believe this is a sign of emerging disagreements within the Portuguese national team, especially since Bruno Fernandes is considered one of Ronaldo’s most important attacking partners.
Meanwhile, coach Roberto Martinez is also under immense pressure for his decision to keep Ronaldo on the field until the end of the match. In the 83rd minute, when Portugal desperately needed a goal, the Spanish strategist decided to replace Vitinha with Goncalo Ramos instead of taking Ronaldo off.
This decision was criticized by many experts. Former England striker Chris Sutton even suggested that Martinez “wasn’t brave enough” to substitute Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese coach defended his player.
He asserted that Ronaldo still provides tactical value thanks to his ability to draw opposing defenders away and create space for his teammates. “There’s no reason to take Cristiano off the field when the team needs a goal,” Martinez emphasized after the match.
Notably, Martinez’s own future is also becoming a hot topic. Many sources from Europe indicate that Al Nassr is considering appointing the 52-year-old coach after the 2026 World Cup. If the deal goes through, Martinez would reunite with Ronaldo at club level just a few months after the tournament in the US.
From a title contender, Portugal is now facing a series of question marks. Ronaldo’s form, the controversies surrounding Bruno Fernandes, the pressure on Martinez, and the behind-the-scenes rumors are making the atmosphere within the team more tense than ever.
And if the situation doesn’t improve soon, the draw against Congo could only be the beginning of a turbulent World Cup for the European Selecao.
