Scholes believes the frustration for Ronaldo is likely compounded by the exploits of his long-term rivals. While the Al-Nassr forward failed to record a single shot or successful duel in the first half against DR Congo, Messi and Kylian Mbappe have already hit the ground running with a hat-trick and a brace, respectively, in their opening fixtures.
Scholes believes these performances will be weighing heavily on Ronaldo’s mind. “Cristiano will be so pissed off because Lionel Messi got a hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe got two… it will be killing him,” the former England midfielder added. “I feel sorry for Martinez because he’s trying to embrace it and he’s saying, ‘No, I’ve got the best goalscorer in the world’, but deep down he must know that’s hurting his team.”
