Top News

Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has come forward in defence of Cristiano Ronaldo amid an increasing wave of criticism calling for the Portugal captain’s removal from the national team lineup.

Ronaldo has faced intense scrutiny following a disappointing performance in Portugal’s World Cup opener against DR Congo, where he led the attack but struggled to make an impact as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The legendary forward endured a frustrating evening, missing several key chances that proved costly for Portugal. Thierry Henry was particularly outspoken, accusing Ronaldo of being selfish and depriving Bruno Fernandes of a potential goal. Numerous analysts and fans have since questioned whether Ronaldo’s presence is now hindering the team’s progress.

The controversy has been amplified by a small but vocal section of Ronaldo’s most ardent supporters, who have taken to social media to target his teammates and even their families, alleging a supposed conspiracy to undermine him on the field.

Among those subjected to this inappropriate and disgraceful online abuse are Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves. Adding to the turmoil, Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro entered the debate online, appearing to accuse other Portugal internationals of intentionally sabotaging her brother’s performance.

Portuguese journalist Vitor Pinto has cautioned that the situation is extremely sensitive and could escalate into internal conflict within the squad, effectively setting Ronaldo against some of his teammates. While Pinto dismissed the sabotage claims, he acknowledged that there are signs of underlying tension within the camp.

Despite the growing noise, Dalot has stressed that the Selecao remain unified and entirely focused on their World Cup objectives. He firmly defended Ronaldo, stating that the team had anticipated such criticism and were mentally prepared for it.

Speaking to the media, Dalot said, “It’s very simple. Inside the locker room, at our training base, we had the chance before arriving at the World Cup to have an in-depth discussion about this whole topic — social media and criticism.”

“It felt almost as if we saw this coming. Naturally, with a team like ours and a player like Cristiano, we know we have to be ready — perhaps more than usual.”

He added, “Having that pre-World Cup talk helped us prepare for moments like this, so when it did happen, we could respond with unity. The message from within the group is clear — we are solid and unmovable. We were aware this kind of situation could arise.”

“We knew challenges and criticism would come our way — sometimes unfair, sometimes inaccurate, and often exaggerated.”

Speaking specifically about Ronaldo, Dalot continued, “Everyone knows how well Cristiano deals with criticism. With over two decades of experience representing the national team, he brings unmatched confidence. Those criticisms are just part of the game, especially at the level we compete in — one of the biggest, if not the biggest, tournaments in world football.”

“The confidence he gives us, and what we give him in return, has always been consistent and will continue to be. As long as he’s part of the national team, he will always have that spirit and readiness to contribute.”

Portugal will return to action on Tuesday when they face Uzbekistan in a crucial Group K encounter.