Ronaldo has faced criticism after his performance in Portugal’s opening match at the FIFA World Cup.
Published June 22, 2026
Portugal winger Francisco Conceição has insisted his team-mates feel no pressure to pass to Cristiano Ronaldo after the veteran superstar’s role in a lackluster World Cup opener came under scrutiny.
Critics have questioned whether 41-year-old Ronaldo’s lack of mobility is having a negative impact on Portugal’s chances following a pedestrian 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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But Conceição said on Sunday there was no doubt that players would feel forced to pass to Ronaldo if other teammates were in a more attacking position.
“We don’t feel the need to give him the ball,” Conceição said. “I pass the pass to the person who is in the best position and I think is unmarked.”
Conceição said Ronaldo was considered “just a member of the team” and that “each individual is needed for the team to function”.
“Cristiano, with his career and the hunger he still has even at the age of 41, is an example of leadership and his goalscoring,” the Juventus player said in a press conference.
“There’s no one like him in terms of scoring goals…He came to my rescue like any other player.”
Ronaldo was a peripheral figure in the front line, taking a breather during the match.
His 25 touches were the fewest in a single match for Portugal in all major competitions.
The contrast with long-time rival Lionel Messi was stark, with the 38-year-old scoring a hat-trick the day before as defending champions Argentina beat Algeria 3-0.
Portugal face Uzbekistan in their second Group K match in Houston on Tuesday, desperately seeking three points to start their season.
“No one is in a worse situation than we are. We felt firsthand that we were not doing our job in the best way,” Conceição said.
“If things don’t go well, the pressure and criticism will increase. We want to show our quality and win the next game.”
After the draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, former France striker Thierry Henry accused Ronaldo of being selfish.
“The team needs to score, but I don’t need to score,” Henry said on FOX.
Given Houston’s stalemate, opposing midfielder Galael Mukau was asked if he had a plan to contain Ronaldo.
“No, we know that he is not the same player as before and that he is older,” Mukau replied.
“At this age, he can’t put in the same effort anymore, but I have a lot of respect for him.”
Mukau’s assessment is kinder than some of the blowbacks following Ronaldo’s approach, and manager Roberto Martinez has not been spared either.
Some experts accused the Spaniard of being afraid of dropping his captain or even replacing him.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told the BBC that it was “embarrassing for him to be a manager” after Martinez saved Ronaldo and brought off midfielder Vicinha in the 83rd minute.
“He is afraid to leave him out. He is not a manager… To date the game has passed him (Ronaldo).”
Critics say Mr. Martinez is not irreplaceable.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonzalo Ramos, who replaced Vicinha, is an instant hit and an absolute number nine.
