Diogo Dalot has defended Cristiano Ronaldo, explaining that the staff is properly ready for criticism of Portugal’s captain on the World Cup.
Portugal opened Group Ok in opposition to DR Congo on the Houston Stadium, with Yoan Wissa canceling out Joao Neves’ sixth-minute opener and beginning the sport with a 1-1 draw.
Ronaldo performed in that match however struggled to make an impression, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner unable to get any of his three photographs on course.
He presently has not scored in 10 consecutive video games for Portugal in main competitions (World Cup/EURO), the longest such streak in his worldwide profession.
Ronaldo’s final purpose in both of the 2 tournaments was within the 2022 World Cup MD1 in opposition to Ghana, however his efficiency at worldwide degree has been criticized.
Nevertheless, Dalot defended the 41-year-old regardless of his latest struggles, saying: “It is quite simple. Within the dressing room of our stadium, we had the chance to debate this matter intimately earlier than arriving on the World Cup. It was as if we had anticipated one thing like this to occur.”
“In fact, once you’re in a staff like this, particularly when you could have a participant like Cristiano, it’s important to be slightly extra ready than typical.
“The truth that we had the conversations earlier than the World Cup to organize for these moments meant we had been capable of ship a message that the group was unwavering when it really occurred, and we knew this was going to occur.
“We knew we might face challenges and criticism, generally unfair, generally false, and generally blown out of proportion.”
0 – Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to attain in 10 consecutive video games in main competitions for Portugal (FIFA World Cup/EURO):
33 photographs
11 inside goal
0 targetsDrought. pic.twitter.com/PYQIHPgCkM
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 17, 2026
Because of his lack of targets in main competitions, Ronaldo has tried 33 photographs in his final 10 video games, leading to a complete anticipated targets (xG) of 4.5.
In reality, excluding penalties, Ronaldo has performed 13 video games in main competitions with out scoring, and in these video games he has taken 42 non-penalty photographs, which is equal to 4.5 non-penalty photographs.
Portugal’s World Cup marketing campaign continues on Tuesday once they face event debutants Uzbekistan, who misplaced 3-1 to Colombia of their first group sport.
This would be the first time the 2 international locations have performed in opposition to one another, with Portugal and not using a win within the final two matches they performed in opposition to groups from the AFC Confederation on the World Cup.
Nevertheless, Dalot backed Ronaldo to struggle again in opposition to Fabio Cannavaro’s facet as they bid to win their first World Cup title.
“Everybody already is aware of how properly Cristiano can deal with criticism. He has greater than 20 years of expertise within the nationwide staff,” Dalot added.
“I believe what he is conveying to the staff, that confidence, these criticisms, is simply a part of the sport, particularly given the extent we’re capable of play at, and we’re taking part in in one of many greatest competitions, if not the largest on the earth.
“The boldness he offers us and we give him has all the time been and all the time can be.
“I believe so long as he represents the nationwide staff, he’ll all the time have that means and be able to play at any time.”
