Cristiano Ronaldo sends message after fallout in Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 camp
(Courtesy : Getty)
Cristiano Ronaldo faced a wave of criticism following Portugal’s toothless performance against DR Congo.
Portugal made a stuttering start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after being held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener. Ronaldo was among a host of players who disappointed for the Selecao das Quinas, with the veteran forward being neutralised by the Congolese defence.
There were growing calls for the 41-year-old to be dropped from the starting lineup. Among the critics was Thierry Henry, who implied that Ronaldo’s selfish motives were hurting the team. “The team needs to score, not you need to score,” the French legend said.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez came to the defence of his captain, saying, “It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals.”
Defender Ruben Dias termed the criticism levelled at Ronaldo as “insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise.”
“First and foremost, the criticism isn’t directed at just one player. Cristiano is a major focus of attention, but I think we’re all in the firing line,” the defender said.
“I don’t think anything out of the ordinary is happening. It’s always been like this since I’ve been here. I believe it will continue to be so in the future. In the end, it’s noise. We isolate ourselves from it and focus on doing our thing.”
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo fans slam Portugal players after DR Congo draw
Cristiano Ronaldo fires back
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to the criticism. He posted an Instagram story which highlighted his career achievements, including the 226 appearances he made for the Portugal senior national team.
“Focus on what you can control,” the Al-Nassr forward wrote in the story.
Apart from this, he also posted a photograph with his Portugal teammates, captioning it, “Always United!” In the picture, Ronaldo is seen smiling with other national team players, including Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva, and others.
What happened in Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener?
Portugal were held to a 1‑1 draw by DR Congo, with Ronaldo struggling to make an impact against a resolute defence.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.