FIFA WC: Ruben Dias backs Ronaldo amid criticism after Group K draw
Synopsis
Ruben Dias has drawn a line under the Ronaldo debate — publicly, at least. After Ronaldo touched the ball just 25 times and failed to register a shot in Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Dias insisted the criticism is collective, not personal, and called it 'noise.' With Uzbekistan next on 23 June, Portugal need answers on the pitch, not just solidarity in the press room.
Key Takeaways
Ruben Dias publicly backed Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup Group K .
Ronaldo , aged 41 , became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match but touched the ball just 25 times and failed to register a shot on target.
Dias said criticism is 'noise' and not directed at any single player, stressing collective responsibility.
Ronaldo is playing in his sixth World Cup — one of the most in football history.
Portugal face Uzbekistan on 23 June , then Colombia five days later to close out the group stage.
Portugal defender Ruben Dias has publicly backed Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the team's second FIFA World Cup Group K fixture, dismissing the wave of criticism directed at the veteran forward following a muted display in their 1-1 draw against DR Congo. The show of solidarity comes as Portugal prepares to face Uzbekistan on 23 June in what is shaping up to be a pivotal group-stage run.
Ronaldo Under the Spotlight
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41 years old, made history in the DR Congo match by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a game in World Cup history. Yet the milestone was quickly overshadowed by his performance statistics: he touched the ball just 25 times across the full 90 minutes, failed to register a shot on target, provided no assists, and did not complete a single successful dribble. Critics argued that a more mobile attacking option could have given Portugal a sharper outlet, particularly in the second half when the team pressed for a winner.
What Dias Said
Speaking to the press, Dias was measured but firm in his defence of his captain. 'Cristiano, of course, is used to dealing with the media pressure we usually face in the club, the national team, world tournaments, and European competitions. In this sort of competition, it will never be perfect,' he said.
The Manchester City centre-back was equally direct about where responsibility lies. 'Criticism isn't directed at just one player. Cristiano is the centre of attention, but I think we're all involved. I don't think anything out of the ordinary is happening. It's always been like this since I've been here. I think it will continue to be this way in the future,' Dias added.
On the broader noise surrounding the squad, he was dismissive: 'Criticism is not significant for us, it's noise and part of the competition ... It's all noise,' he said, noting that it 'always happens if you have a match that doesn't go well.' He concluded: 'We're closing ourselves off from unnecessary criticism.'
Context and What It Means for Portugal
Ronaldo is competing in his sixth World Cup — a feat matched by very few players in football history. His continued selection underlines Portugal's faith in his experience and leadership, even as questions mount about his physical output at the highest level. This is not the first time Ronaldo has faced scrutiny at a major tournament; similar debates surfaced at Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he was dropped to the bench in the knockout rounds.
Portugal's group-stage schedule leaves little margin for error. After facing Uzbekistan on 23 June, the side concludes its group campaign against Colombia five days later. A second dropped result could complicate their path to the knockout stage.
What Happens Next
The pressure on Portugal's coaching staff will be to find a tactical balance that maximises Ronaldo's influence — whether as a starter or an impact substitute — without sacrificing attacking fluidity. Dias's comments suggest the dressing room remains united, but another low-impact performance from Ronaldo could reignite the debate with greater intensity heading into the knockout rounds.
Point of View
But it papers over a genuine tactical question. Ronaldo touching the ball 25 times in a 1-1 draw — with no shot, no assist, no dribble completed — is not a media construct; it is a performance metric. Portugal's coaching staff face a dilemma that goodwill alone cannot resolve: at 41, Ronaldo's symbolic value is undeniable, but the data from the DR Congo match suggests the team is carrying a passenger in the final third. If the pattern repeats against Uzbekistan, the debate will move from the back pages to the team sheet — and no amount of dressing-room unity will hold it back.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo facing criticism at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Ronaldo was criticised after Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, in which he touched the ball just 25 times, failed to register a shot on target, gave no assists, and completed no dribbles despite playing the full match. Critics suggested a more mobile forward could have offered Portugal a better attacking outlet.
What did Ruben Dias say in defence of Ronaldo?
Dias called the criticism 'noise' and insisted it is not aimed at any single player. He said the entire squad shares responsibility and that the team is 'closing itself off from unnecessary criticism.'
What record did Ronaldo set against DR Congo?
Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a match in World Cup history when he featured in Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo, at the age of 41.
When does Portugal play next in the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal face Uzbekistan on 23 June in their second Group K match, followed by a final group-stage game against Colombia five days later.
How many World Cups has Cristiano Ronaldo played in?
The 2026 tournament is Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth FIFA World Cup, one of the highest tallies in the history of the competition.
