Cristiano Ronaldo faced widespread criticism after a lackluster performance in Portugal’s opening World Cup match against DR Congo. The Portuguese captain missed several easy chances and left the field without shaking hands with opponents, drawing ridicule from fans. However, former England striker Michael Owen and Portugal defender Ruben Dias have publicly backed Ronaldo amid the backlash.

In an article published in the Daily Mail, Owen expressed full support for Ronaldo, comparing the situation to Lionel Messi’s recent hat-trick. He stated that Ronaldo’s failure to score does not warrant criticism and predicted that the forward could silence critics with a hat-trick in the next match against Uzbekistan. Ruben Dias also dismissed any doubts within the Portugal camp, praising Ronaldo’s mental strength and confidence in his ability to bounce back.

Portugal’s next match against Uzbekistan will test whether Ronaldo can overcome the criticism and return to form, a moment eagerly awaited by football fans.