Cristiano Ronaldo has been on the pitch for every single minute of Portugal's World Cup group stage, but growing concerns suggest that failing to manage his workload could cost the team dearly in the rounds ahead.

While Ronaldo's commitment and determination are beyond question, the decision to give him no rest has drawn scrutiny from observers who worry about the physical toll accumulating on the 39-year-old forward as the tournament progresses.

Portugal have advanced through the group stage, yet the question looming over the squad is whether relying so heavily on Ronaldo — without allowing him any rotation or respite — is a strategy that could unravel at the worst possible moment.

Fatigue is one of football's most underestimated factors in knockout competition. As opposing defences grow more organised and the margins between victory and elimination narrow, a tired Ronaldo risks being less of an asset and more of a liability if his legs fail him at a critical juncture.

The debate around Ronaldo's role in this Portugal side is not new. Critics have long argued that the team's tactical setup at times prioritises accommodating him over maximising collective efficiency. Deploying him for the full duration of every match compounds those concerns.

For Portugal, the hope will be that Ronaldo's experience and leadership carry him — and the team — through the intensity of the knockout rounds. But the longer he plays without a break, the greater the risk that exhaustion catches up with him at precisely the wrong time.