Cristiano Ronaldo goal drought: Ruben Dias responds to Thierry Henry criticism of Portugal captain

Portugal are attempting to artifact retired outer disapproval aft their underwhelming 1-1 draw with DR Congo successful their World Cup 2026 opener.

Roberto Martinez’s broadside dominated possession and completed 740 passes but mustered lone 1 changeable connected people against opponents returning to the tourney aft a 52-year absence.

The effect extended Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal drought successful large planetary tournaments to 10 matches, stretching backmost to the 2022 World Cup.

The 41-year-old, inactive the all-time starring planetary scorer, has been singled retired by immoderate observers for his display.

However, 1 of the elder figures successful the campy insists that extracurricular sentiment volition not derail their campaign.

Ronaldo disapproval branded ‘noise’ amid media scrutiny

Speaking astatine Portugal’s grooming basal connected Friday, defender Ruben Dias described the absorption to the gully and the absorption connected Ronaldo arsenic insignificant. 

"The disapproval is not important for us, it's sound and portion of the competition... it's each noise,” said Dias via The Independent. 

"It ever happens if you person a lucifer that doesn't spell well. We're closing ourselves disconnected from unnecessary criticism. 

The Manchester City defender alternatively chose to absorption connected the team’s ambition and discussed the demands connected 1 of the astir talented Portuguese sides successful years to thrive successful North America.

"Cristiano, of course, is utilized to dealing with the media unit we usually look successful the club, the nationalist team, satellite tournaments, European competitions,” the centre-back explained.

"In this benignant of competition, it volition ne'er beryllium perfect... this is simply a contention you tin triumph lone if you play good crippled aft game."

Portugal look to respond against Uzbekistan aft DR Congo setback

Former France striker Thierry Henry was among those to question Ronaldo’s display, suggesting that the guardant was excessively focused connected scoring himself alternatively than prioritising the team’s needs successful cardinal moments.

While the 29-year-old did not prosecute successful that disapproval of his captain, helium declared himself acceptable and acceptable for Tuesday’s second radical fixture against Uzbekistan aft sitting retired the DR Congo draw.

Portugal are preparing for different deep-lying opponent, and Dias believes his nine acquisition against back-five systems volition beryllium useful, stressing the value of positional subject and decision-making successful choky matches.

The defender remains assured that the 2016 European champions person capable prime to find a effect and reassert themselves successful the radical with a much objective show successful their 2nd outing.