DR Congo midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau has admitted that he expected more from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 1-1 draw between Portugal and DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup.
The Lille footballer, who had the opportunity to play against one of the biggest names in football history, said that age has already affected the Portuguese star’s game, although facing him remains a great privilege.
“We knew he was not the same as before, so we understood that he would run less on the field. Maybe I expected a little more from him, but that’s completely normal. He has grown in age. However, playing against Cristiano Ronaldo is a great honor,” Mukau declared.
Ronaldo, who continues to be Portugal’s leading figure even at the age of 41, failed to leave his usual mark in this match, while DR Congo managed to get a positive result against one of the tournament favorites.
Mukau’s comments have attracted a lot of attention in the international media, as they come from an opponent who faced the five-time Ballon d’Or winner directly.
However, Mukau stressed that respect for Ronaldo remains extraordinary, despite the fact that his physical level is no longer that of the golden years of his career.
