Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to social media to share a message of unity ahead of his team's crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Uzbekistan, scheduled for June 23 as per Indian Standard Time. The 41-year-old posted "Always united!" on Instagram alongside a picture with his teammates, rallying support before the pivotal match.
Ruben Dias Dismisses Criticism as 'Noise'
Portugal defender Ruben Dias has downplayed recent criticism directed at Ronaldo, describing the surrounding talk as "noise" and simply part of football. Ronaldo endured a difficult outing in Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their World Cup opener, struggling to make an impact throughout the contest. The veteran striker finished the match with 25 touches, attempting three shots without hitting the target, and winning just one duel, highlighting how effectively he was contained by the DR Congo defence.
It was one of the lowest involvement games of his World Cup career, marking the second-fewest touches he has ever recorded in a World Cup start, underscoring his limited influence in Portugal's attacking play. The frustration adds to growing concern over his form in major tournaments, as Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring in major competitions, an unwanted streak that continues despite his experience and status on the global stage.
Dias: 'It's Not an Issue for Us'
Speaking after recent external chatter around the veteran forward, Dias said the team remains unaffected and focused on its objectives. "It's not an issue for us," Dias insisted, as quoted by One Football. "It's insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise. It's all part of the game." He added, "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. Above all, apart from what I've just 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."
Portugal will look to bounce back against Uzbekistan as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament. The match promises to be a test of resilience for the Portuguese side, with Ronaldo eager to silence his critics and lead his team to victory.
