Patrick Vieira on Ronaldo's World Cup Legacy and Team Decisions

Patrick Vieira believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy is edging into dangerous territory – and he says Roberto Martinez must be brave enough to act.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former France midfielder argued that Portugal’s head coach should consider dropping his captain for their next World Cup game against Uzbekistan, after Ronaldo failed to score in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

For Vieira, the decision is simple: the team has to come first.

“He [Martinez] has to think about the team first before thinking about Ronaldo. So he will have to make a really strong decision not to start him if the team is better without him,” the ex-Arsenal captain said.

Ronaldo drew a blank as Portugal were held by DR Congo, a result that has intensified scrutiny around his place in the starting XI at this stage of his career. The 39-year-old remains the undisputed leader of the dressing room and the face of Portuguese football, but his every performance now carries an extra layer of judgement.

Vieira’s concern stretches beyond tactics and line-ups. It reaches into how Ronaldo’s extraordinary career will be remembered.

“I worry for him [Ronaldo], his legacy will be spoiled a little bit if he kicks off and he gets taken off, because for two decades he has been an extraordinarily wonderful footballer,” he said.

That is the tightrope now. Martinez must balance respect for a legend with the ruthless choices demanded by tournament football. And Ronaldo, who has spent twenty years defining eras, suddenly finds himself fighting to protect the final chapter of his own.