Boateng Blunt: Ronaldo should exit Portugal starting lineup
Key takeaways
- Boateng’s Blunt Take: “Portugal At Their Best If He Doesn’t Play”
- The two biggest wins in the current cycle were both achieved without Ronaldo: 9-0 against Luxembourg in September 2023 and 9-1 against Armenia in November 2025.
- However for others he is still undroppable.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize As Cristiano Ronaldo enters his record sixth FIFA World Cup, the discussion about his position in Portugal’s starting line-up has hit a new high – thanks to Kevin-Prince Boateng, the once Ghana star, who believes it’s time for the 41-year-old to make way for the team’s betterment.
Boateng’s Blunt Take: “Portugal At Their Best If He Doesn’t Play”
While vocal before Portugal’s World Cup 2026 opening game against DR Congo dated June 17 Boateng agreed with ESPN’s Taylor Twellman who went viral with his comment: “This is the best team Cristiano Ronaldo has ever had around him…I think Portugal is at their best if he doesn’t play.”