Virat Kohli has warned everyone about Cristiano Ronaldo, the football world is making the same mistake again

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Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, has a brigade of criticism after Portugal earned a lackluster draw with Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday. Ronaldo, 41, has been given the role of leading Portugal’s attack. But in his opening match of the 2026 World Cup, the man who had scored a record 143 international goals looked a shadow of himself. One game was enough for pundits and fans to even question his selection for the team. However, as Ronaldo finds himself besieged by harsh criticism, it is time to remember what Virat Kohli, the man who also sailed in a similar boat to Ronaldo in the last two years of his career, said three years ago.

Ronaldo featured in the Riyadh Stars team, which consists of players from Al Hilal and Al Nasr, against a Paris Saint-Germain team that includes the likes of Lionel. Messi, Neymar Jr. And Kylian Mbappé. Ronaldo’s team ended up winning the match 4-3, with the Portuguese scoring two goals. Kohli then warned the world against undermining Ronaldo, even at this stage of his career.

“He’s still doing it at the highest level at the age of 38,” Kohli, who has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Ronaldo, said on social media. “Football pundits who sit and criticize him every week for attracting attention are comfortably quiet now that he has put in this kind of performance against one of the best clubs in the world. And it looks like it’s over.”

There’s no denying that Ronaldo is no longer the man he once was – the striker who terrorized opponents during his time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, or even Juventus. But many still ignore the fact that he scored 28 goals in 30 matches with Al-Nassr in the 2025-26 season. What he lacks at the moment is not the ability to lead Portugal’s attack, but cohesion with his teammates, who play in faster and more challenging leagues than Ronaldo.

There’s nothing wrong with raising questions and criticizing him, but making fun of a player of Ronaldo’s stature, who is single-handedly responsible for some of the brightest moments in football history, is where it needs to stop.

When Ronaldo’s Portugal were eliminated from the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Kohli spoke of his admiration for the iconic striker once again. His words still resonate with the football fraternity who know and accept what Ronaldo went on to achieve in his career.

“No title or title can take anything away from what you have done for this sport and for sports fans around the world. No title can explain the impact you have had on people and what I and so many around the world feel when we watch you play. This is a gift from God.”

“A true blessing for a man who gives his best every time and is an example of hard work, dedication and a true inspiration for any athlete. To me you are the greatest of all time,” Kohli wrote on Twitter.

What’s next for Ronaldo?

As the world looks to understand what’s next for Ronaldo in a Portugal shirt, as he is expected to leave international duty after the World Cup ends, the message is hidden in what Kohli said about Ronaldo in 2019. Not much has changed in terms of Ronaldo’s work ethic since that period, even seven years later.

“For me, Cristiano is above anyone else. His commitment and work ethic are unparalleled. He wants it so badly – you can see it in every match. I support every club he plays for. He inspires me,” Kohli told FIFA.com during the T20 series against West Indies.

Every setback Ronaldo faces in his career pushes him to change, reinvent himself and prove people wrong. As Portugal looks to bounce back in its remaining World Cup group stage matches, expect nothing but a great effort from Ronaldo.

Ronaldo may be his best rival for Messi, but it is Kohli whose attitude, ambition and sheer will to improve reflects the Portuguese the most, even though he is in an alternative sport. only As Kohli silences the critics to make the No. 3 spot in the Indian ODI team his own, expect Ronaldo to turn heads with his performances in the upcoming matches.