Qatar 2022: Ronaldo included in World Cup’s Worst Starting XI

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been included in the 2022 World Cup worst eleven.

Ronaldo scored only once and was left out of the starting XI by head coach Fernando Santos for their round of 16 clash with Switzerland and their shock quarter-final defeat to Morocco.

The 37-year-old free agent reportedly threatened to quit the Portuguese camp during a heated meeting with Santos after he found out he had been axed for the Switzerland game, although this was quickly denied by the country’s FA and the player.

And Ronaldo’s misery has been compounded by being chosen by statistics provider Sofascore as part of their worst team of the World Cup.

The worst XI team is based on Sofascore’s rating, which gives each player a score out of 10 for their performances at the tournament. To be included, players had to have made a minimum of four appearances in Qatar.

Ronaldo, who has been spotted back at Real Madrid’s training ground as he looks to keep in shape during his search for a new club, was named in the Sofascore side after scoring just 6.46.

The former Manchester United star is partnered up front by Lautaro Martinez, despite the Argentinian being a member of of the team which lifted the trophy after beating France on penalty shootout.

Martinez, who failed to score for Argentina in Qatar in 148 minutes of action across the entire tournament, was given a rating of just 6.35.

The Inter Milan striker was brought off the bench by Lionel Scaloni in all-but two of Argentina’s World Cup games.

He came on for Manchester City star Julian Alvarez 13 minutes into extra-time in Sunday’s final against France.

Qatar 2022 World Cup Worst Eleven

Also AFCON winner Edouard Mendy has been selected by Sofascore in their worst XI with a rating of just 6.30.

Mendy struggled for Senegal, who reached the last-16 before being knocked out by England, as his errors cost his side in their 2-0 defeat to Holland in their Group A opener.

The 30-year-old had lost his place as Chelsea’s No 1 prior to the tournament and his problems continued at the World Cup – but he kept his spot in the Senegal team throughout.

Sergino Dest, who is contracted to Barcelona but is on loan at AC Milan, takes the right back slot having been given a paltry rating of 6.50.

Kamil Glik and Bartosz Bereszyński of Poland, who were criticised for their negative tactics and displays in Qatar, and Senegal centre back Abdou Diallo complete the back four.

Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie of Australia were picked in the midfield alongside South Korea’s Hwang In-beom and Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas.

The 2022 World Cup was won by Argentina after edging France 4-2 on penalties.

The game was decided from the spot kick following a dramatic 3-3 scoreline in regulation time.

Paris Saint-Germain teammates Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were the star of the final as the former bagged a hat-trick while the former netted twice.

It was Argentina’s first World Cup title since Mexico 1986.