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Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, shared images from a training session with his teammates as they gear up for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash against Uzbekistan on June 23. He posted several photos on X, captioning them with "Focused on the mission."

This update follows a challenging performance for the 41-year-old during Portugal's opening match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Ronaldo had a minimal impact, recording only 25 touches, three shots that missed the target, and winning just one duel, indicating a strong defensive effort from DR Congo. This match marked one of the lowest levels of involvement in his World Cup history, with the second-fewest touches in a World Cup start, showcasing his limited role in Portugal's offense.

The veteran forward's struggles have raised concerns about his form in significant tournaments, as he has now gone 10 matches without scoring in major competitions. This ongoing streak is particularly disappointing given his extensive experience and reputation on the international stage.

In light of the criticism aimed at Ronaldo, teammate Ruben Dias has dismissed the negative chatter, referring to it as "noise" that is simply part of football. He emphasized that the team remains focused on their goals and is not distracted by external opinions. Dias stated, "It's not an issue for us. It's insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise. It's all part of the game."

"The criticism isn't aimed at just one player. While Cristiano is often in the spotlight, we all face scrutiny. This has always been the case, and it will continue. Ultimately, it's just noise. We choose to ignore it and concentrate on our performance," he added.

As Portugal prepares for their next match, all eyes will be on Ronaldo and how the team responds as they continue their World Cup journey.