Cristiano Ronaldo substituted for first time at World Cup 2026 against Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo experienced an unusual moment in Portugal’s World Cup 2026 campaign: for the first time in the tournament, he was taken off before the final whistle. It happened in the Round of 32 clash against Croatia, with the clock showing 81 minutes. Portugal’s coaching staff decided to replace their captain with midfielder Ruben Neves. The substitution raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike, given Ronaldo’s iconic status and his previous ironman streak in this World Cup, where he had played every minute until this point. The match against Croatia was a tightly contested affair, and the tactical move was aimed at refreshing the midfield. Whether this signals a shift in Ronaldo’s role for the remainder of the tournament remains to be seen.