Portugal face Uzbekistan in Group 11 tonight at 8:00 p.m. in Houston, with the team already under pressure after a disappointing draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The poor performance has put Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41 and playing in his sixth World Cup, back at the center of debate over how Portugal should use its captain.
Francisco Conceicao tried to calm the noise by praising Ronaldo, saying he does not feel any obligation to pass to him and only looks for the best option in the moment. He added that Ronaldo is an example because of his career and daily hunger, saying that at 41 he still arrives at training “with the same passion, as if it were his last session.” Conceicao also said Portugal need “all his personal qualities.”
That did not stop the controversy from spreading online. Joao Neves was quoted after the Congo draw saying Ronaldo is “one of us, another player trying to help the team,” but the comment was clipped and presented out of context. A fake quote attributed to Neves’s partner, actress Madalena Aragao, also circulated, and Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo’s partner, briefly shared and then deleted it after realizing it was false.
Former England defender Gary Neville said Portugal are too talented to become “hostage to one player,” even if that player is the greatest of all time, and argued that coach Roberto Martinez needs brave decisions to avoid losing the young dressing room. Portuguese media say criticism is growing over the team’s continued reliance on Ronaldo, but Martinez insisted there is “no logic” in taking out football’s all-time leading scorer when goals are needed. Portugal now hope to beat Uzbekistan, who lost 3-1 to Colombia in their opener, and the coach is still working out how to fit Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Francisco Trincao into the attack.
