Pedro Neto has become the latest Chelsea player to be eliminated from the World Cup, and he will not be happy at the manner he has been dumped out.
Portugal were defeated 1-0 by Spain in the Round of 16, with former Blues man Marc Cucurella booking his place in the next round.
Despite being littered with quality, Roberto Martinez was constantly criticised for his treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo, and how he refused to drop him from the starting side.
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Chelsea’s Pedro Neto should be fuming at Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal exit World Cup
A legendary career does not mean he should be undroppable though, and as father time catches up with him, he certainly didn’t help Neto out on the pitch.
Whenever the Chelsea man got into an attacking area, especially on the counter attack, he quickly found out there was nobody in the box to cross the ball to.
Portugal v Spain: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026
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Neto attempted just two crosses all game, completing one but ultimately not utilising one of his biggest strengths due to having no support in the final third.
The most annoying thing for Neto is that his style of play would be far better suited to the player who would have replaced Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos.
The new AC Milan striker scored a wonderful header to send them through in the last round against Croatia, however didn’t play a minute against Spain.
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Former Chelsea star tears into Ronaldo
After the game, Chris Sutton tore into Ronaldo, believing he was at fault for their exit from the World Cup.
He said to BBC 5 Live: “He’s waddling around the field like a Granddad. That’s why Portugal are out. There’s a lot of them walking off the pitch now thinking ‘Ronaldo, you’ve killed us in this tournament, you’re the reason we have gone out, you’re the reason we have struggled in the final third.’
“Your centre-forward has to move, he has to contribute. He has to press, and he doesn’t! Ronaldo does nothing.”
Neto will be part of a talented group of players who will feel the 2026 World Cup is a ‘what if’ tournament, which has been wasted by an ageing legend of the game wanting one last moment in the sun.
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