Cristiano Ronaldo has played more minutes than any other outfield player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He bookended a two-goal game with two near-invisible outings.
What happened?
Portugal has yet to take Cristiano Ronaldo off the field, which is weird no matter how good he has been playing.
On Saturday, Ronaldo played in a 0-0 draw with Colombia.
Why it matters for Cristiano Ronaldo
ESPN's Mark Ogden wrote that Ronaldo's age is a factor, saying he's 41 years old.
Ronaldo takes plenty of moments off, but maybe in part because he knows he isn't going to be subbed off.
What comes next?
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez insists that Ronaldo can deliver no matter how much he plays.
But Ogden argues that even Ronaldo needs to manage his minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo has always been the perfect example of the rewards of dedication and professionalism.
But he's 41, and no amount of ice baths or personally curated diets can change that or roll back the effects of the aging process.
Portugal has a super deep roster, making it perfect sense to give Ronaldo at least a bit of a breather.
That has yet to happen, though, and it's going to be a tricky narrative for as deep as Portugal goes in this World Cup.
Ronaldo played more minutes than any other outfield player at this World Cup, as noted by Ogden.
This is a concern, given his age and the need to manage his minutes.
The end result is that nobody wins, as Ogden puts it.
Ronaldo's usage by Portugal is a bizarre circumstance, with many questioning why he isn't being subbed off.
Portugal's next match will be closely watched, with many eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo's playing time.
Will Martínez finally give him a breather, or will Ronaldo continue to play excessive minutes?
Cristiano Ronaldo's performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a topic of discussion.
His two-goal game was a highlight, but his near-invisible outings have raised concerns.