Gael Clichy suggested Cristiano Ronaldo could be holding Portugal back after they began their World Cup campaign with an underwhelming draw against DR Congo.
Portugal were one of the favourites to win the World Cup before a ball was kicked but struggled in their opening fixture against minnows DR Congo.
Roberto Martinez’s side looked set for a comfortable evening when Joao Neves headed the European giants ahead inside seven minutes.
But Portugal failed to press home their advantage, with DR Congo scoring their first World Cup goal through Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa’s header.
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Legendary striker Ronaldo matched Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s record by playing in a sixth World Cup but was unable to become the first player in history to score in six different tournaments.
Clichy believes the presence of Ronaldo up top meant Portugal were not playing ‘naturally’ and suggested they could benefit if the 41-year-old came out of the side.
‘We said at the beginning of the game that Cristiano Ronaldo will be helping young players because of his character, because of his experience, but sometimes unconsciously those kinds of players can take too much light,’ ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and France defender Clichy said on BBC One.
‘When you take them out you can see players take responsibility. This is where the choices of the manager are important because during 90 minutes we were saying will he take him out because we know he has a goal in him.
‘But at the same time, the game is not natural because of him being on the pitch. They tried to go wide because they tried to reach him. Maybe if he wasn’t there they can link up more in the middle of the pitch.
‘Overall I think it was a great point for DR Congo. I think they played a very good game.
‘Portugal will be questioning different choices from Roberto Martinez. But well done to DR Congo because they could’ve won the game.’
Ex-England striker Chris Sutton also questioned Ronaldo’s place in the Portugal team after a ‘flat’ and ‘painful’ performance against DR Congo.
‘Portugal were painful,’ he said. ‘It was a really insipid, flat performance.
‘The story is all about DR Congo and how they grew into the game. Second half, it was a pretty even game but what a point for DR Congo.
‘Roberto Martinez, I don’t understand some of his management. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery and the game passed him by.
‘Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager. He is not the manager of the Portugal team and that is their issue.’
Former England captain Wayne Rooney was underwhelmed by Portugal’s performance but defended his ex-Manchester United teammate Ronaldo.
‘The first game of the group is so important and for Portugal to perform the way they have performed, you want to see more energy, I want to see more legs in the team,’ he said.
‘I want to see players run past Cristiano Ronaldo at times. I think it was a poor performance from Portugal.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats are never going to be the best, so what he needs are chances. If he gets chances, and a good chance, he will score goals.
‘We can look at stats over the last five years and they mean nothing.’
Ex-Ireland international Tony Cascarino said Ronaldo ‘offered nothing to the Portuguese team’ and was stunned Martinez did not take him off.
‘I’m trying to be as kind as I can… but he [Ronaldo] was really off it. And he just looks like time has caught up with him,’ he said on talkSPORT.
‘He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball. I remember Ronaldo as that winger that just got the ball and drove at people.
‘Okay, he’s aged, he’s not that type of player anymore, but he offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on.
‘I’m thinking, “This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?” You’ve got to take people off.
‘If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager.
‘And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, “I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo”.’
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