'I don't think Thomas Tuchel would've picked Cristiano Ronaldo'... Legend makes bold claim about Portugal star

Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t have picked Cristiano Ronaldo if he was managing Portugal, according to a Liverpool icon.

The 2016 European Champions were held to a 1-1 draw by The Democratic Republic of the Congo in their opening group game of the 2026 World Cup.

John Barnes says Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t have picked Cristiano Ronaldo

At the peak of his powers, Cristiano Ronaldo was undeniably one of the greatest players to have ever graced the sport of football. However, at 41, his best days are firmly in the rearview mirror, with fans now questioning whether he’s actually a hindrance to his country.

John Barnes believes this is the case, with the icon claiming that the superstar wouldn’t have even made the squad if Thomas Tuchel was at the helm.

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In an episode of The Good, The Bad and The Football, the 62-year-old explained: “He’s having a negative impact on the rest of the players in terms of what they have to give because they feel like they have to pass to him. I liken it to when Steven Gerrard was at Liverpool where everything had to go through him and the players didn’t get to show what they could do. I don’t think Thomas Tuchel would’ve picked him.”