Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição and former England striker Michael Owen have come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo as the veteran forward faces growing public criticism ahead of Portugal's World Cup match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old was scrutinized after an ineffective performance in Portugal's opening tournament match against DR Congo.
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Conceição: Ronaldo Remains an Example
Speaking during a press conference, Conceição addressed questions about Ronaldo's role in the national team.
"He is an example through his career, through the hunger he shows every day. He trains as if it is his last training session," Conceição said.
"If he has already achieved so much and still has such hunger, then ours must only be greater."
The winger emphasized that while Ronaldo is unmatched in scoring, the team does not feel obligated to constantly feed him the ball.
"I play the ball to whoever is best positioned. He is here to help, just like every other player," Conceição added.
Owen, in his column for the Daily Mail as reported by vi. nl, labeled the backlash as disproportionate.
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"It didn't help Cristiano that Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick the night before Portugal's match, but I am not joining in the criticism of him," Owen wrote.
The former striker argued that critics often target Ronaldo for playing styles that have defined his career for years.
"But has he not always played more or less like this? Certainly in recent years he is not a player who is constantly involved in the game.
He is there for the big moments," Owen said.
"If he doesn't score, it's far too easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41 he will always be up for discussion.
How often have we not seen this? Then he silences everyone in the next game."
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Owen added that if you set up Ronaldo, you must accept what he stands for, and he wouldn't be surprised if Ronaldo responds with a hat-trick against Uzbekistan.
