Rio Ferdinand explains exactly how Cristiano Ronaldo should be used at World Cup

Rio Ferdinand has told Roberto Martinez how he would utilise Cristiano Ronaldo as a ‘super-sub’ during the World Cup

The 41-year-old started for Portugal in their opening game against DR Congo, which ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw.

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The Real Madrid legend had a sub-par performance after failing to score and faced widespread criticism following the match.

He managed just three shots and only touched the ball 25 times throughout the full 90 minutes.

The Al-Nassr striker has now gone 10 consecutive games at major tournaments without finding the net since a penalty against Ghana at the 2022 World Cup.

Ronaldo, who is close to hitting the 1000-goal target for club and country and is a known legend for his home nation, was branded selfish following his blank against Congo.

Is Ronaldo the manager?

The issue could be causing tension in the camp after the former Manchester United forward’s sister liked an Instagram post criticising his performance in their first game.

Katia Aveiro, his sister, also gave her own thoughts, posting an Instagram story which stated: “They magically forgot how to pass the ball, how to win the ball, how to counter-attack.

“The game became all about passing backwards in midfield… this World Cup is strange.

In comparison, other football superstars lit up the international stage, including Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The Argentine went level with Germany‘s Miroslav Klose as the joint-leading goalscorer in the World Cup after he secured a hat-trick against Algeria.

Haaland made his debut in the World Cup and celebrated by scoring two past Iraq.

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Mbappe also netted two past Senegal to label himself France’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud.

And then Kane impressed as he provided a brace against Croatia in a 4-2 victory for England.

On talkSPORT Breakfast, Rio Ferdinand, who has played alongside Ronaldo, advised the Portugal manager how to man-manage the icon.

He said: “Roberto Martinez has paid the price to make this decision [of starting Ronaldo]. And I think it’s the way that he handles it that will be key.

“I think if he was going to attempt to kind of take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the team, I think it’s all about the narrative.

“I think it’s all about approaching him and telling him that we’ve got a better chance of winning it for you. Coming on with 30 minutes to go when the opposition are tired, when their limbs are all weary. Lactic acid is building up in all these players’ legs.

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“They see Cristiano Ronaldo warming up on the side, and you come on and terrorise them and capitalise on that in the latter stages of the game.

“Do you think anyone’s going to be bothered when you lift that trophy as our captain? No.

“You’re going to start some games, but then some you’re not going to start. But that’s part of the plan. And at 41 years old, I’m sure Cristiano would understand that because when we were getting older, things weren’t working as quickly, as smoothly as they once were.

“But there’s no denying the guy’s potential. When the ball drops in the box, if you had the top three players in the world, he’d be one of the guys you wanted to drop to, even still now, because he’s got almost a thousand goals.

“But listen, if it was down to me, I think I would take that same approach I just mentioned there. I would put him in and out of games depending on the opponents.”

Parting gift

talkSPORT exclusively revealed that Martinez will not continue as Portugal manager following the World Cup after he decided not to renew his contract, which expires at the end of July this year.

After being in charge for the last three years, the former Everton boss is being questioned about why he played Ronaldo for the full 90 minutes despite it being his final chance to win football’s biggest prize.

The 52-year-old led Portugal to their second Nations League title and has the chance to achieve the country’s first star on their shirt.

Martinez has a mixed World Cup record as an international manager, finishing third with Belgium in 2018, but failed to qualify out of the group stage in Qatar.