Rúben Dias, the defender for Portugal, dismissed the criticism aimed at his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as “insignificant,” asserting that such remarks have not impacted the team’s concentration.
In Portugal’s World Cup opener against Congo DR, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Ronaldo, at the age of 41 years and 123 days, became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match but had no shots on target.
His lackluster performance drew widespread criticism from analysts and the media, with many suggesting he should no longer be in the starting lineup.
“It’s not a problem for us,” Dias commented regarding the backlash against Ronaldo. “It’s insignificant—just a bit of fuss and noise. It’s all part of the game.”
The Al Nassr forward managed three shots during the match, all of which were off target.
Former France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry was one of those who criticized Ronaldo, pointing out that he played selfishly during key moments. “People at home should remember: The team needs to score, not just you,” said Henry.
Dias noted that criticism of Ronaldo is not a new phenomenon but rather an expected part of sporting life. “The criticism isn’t aimed at just one individual,” stated the Manchester City center back. “Ronaldo attracts a lot of attention, but we all face scrutiny.”
“Overall, I don’t think this is out of the ordinary,” he added. “It’s always been like this during my time here. It’s a constant presence, and I believe it will continue. We see it as mere noise, separating ourselves from it to focus on the game.”
Ronaldo played the full match against Congo DR, and Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martínez, mentioned that substituting him made “no sense.”
Dias emphasized that the team remains cohesive and unaffected by external criticism. “It’s not an issue for any of us,” he said. “We understand that facing challenges can help us grow. We see it as an opportunity for positivity. I avoid dwelling on criticism; none of us place any significance on it.”
Several Portugal players, including Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, were overwhelmed by fan comments demanding respect for Ronaldo and accusing some teammates of intentionally not passing to their captain.
– Thierry Henry criticizes Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘The team needs to score, not you’
– Cristiano Ronaldo: World Cup ‘far from over’ despite Portugal’s difficult start
When asked about the situation, Dias remarked: “Honestly, I haven’t paid much attention to that. Speculation typically rises with poor results, but it doesn’t shake our confidence.”
“Competitions can’t be perfect; facing difficulties can be beneficial. Victory only comes as the team continues to improve match after match. I don’t seek ideal scenarios; what’s important is to stay grounded.”
Dias, who missed the match against Congo DR due to injury, has now recovered and is expected to start against Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.