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Ronaldo was criticized after his performance in Portugal’s first game in the FIFA World Cup.
Updated on 22 Jun 2026
Portugal midfielder Francisco Conceicao has insisted that his teammates are under no pressure to move to Cristiano Ronaldo following an assessment of the star’s performance in the World Cup opener.
Critics have questioned whether the absence of Ronaldo, 41, is harming Portugal’s chances after pedestrians 1-1 and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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But Conceicao on Sunday said there is no question of the players who have to do it to Ronaldo if some of his friends were in a good place to attack.
“We don’t see the need to give him the ball,” Conceicao said. “I give it to anyone who I think is in a very good and unrecognized position.”
Conceicao said Ronaldo is seen as “another member of the team”, who needs “everyone to make the team work”.
“Cristiano is an example because of his work and the hunger he still has at the age of 41 … an example of leadership and the goals he achieves,” the Juventus player said at a press conference.
“There is no one like him when it comes to scoring goals … He is here to help, just like any other player.”
Ronaldo was jealous and proud of the game that was all around the front.
His 25 touches were the fewest in a game in Portugal’s top flight while playing every game.
The contrast with former competitor Lionel Messi was stark, with the 38-year-old after scoring a hat-trick yesterday to give defenders Argentina a 3-0 win against Algeria.
Portugal play Uzbekistan in their second Group K match in Houston on Tuesday, desperately looking for three points to get their campaign going.
Conceicao said: “No one suffers more than we do.”
If things don’t go well, there will be a lot of pressure and criticism.
Following the draw with DR Congo, former France international Thierry Henry accused Ronaldo of being selfish.
“The team has to score, not to win,” Henry said on Fox.
During Houston’s struggles, opposition midfielder Ngalayel Mukau was asked if he had any plans to sign Ronaldo.
“Absolutely not. We know that he is no longer the player he used to be and that he is now a senior,” said Mukau.
“At his age, he can’t work as hard as he used to, but I have a lot of respect for him.”
Mukau’s assessment was better than Ronaldo’s performance, and coach Roberto Martinez was also not left out.
Some experts accused the Spaniard of being afraid to leave the ambassador or even replace him.
“It’s a shame for Martinez,” former Premier League player Chris Sutton said on the BBC after Martinez saved Ronaldo and sent off midfielder Vitinha in the 83rd minute.
“They are afraid to get rid of him.
Critics say it’s not like Martinez doesn’t have other options.
Goncalo Ramos, the Paris Saint-Germain striker who replaced Vitinha, is set to replace him as the number nine.
