PORTUGAL winger Francisco Conceicao has rejected claims that the national team is overly reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting players make decisions based solely on what is best for the team as scrutiny intensifies over the captain's role ahead of a must-win World Cup fixture against Uzbekistan.
The Portuguese camp has come under increasing pressure following a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their opening Group K match, with critics questioning whether the 41-year-old Ronaldo's diminishing mobility is hindering the team's attacking effectiveness.
AFP cited, Conceicao, however, firmly denied suggestions that teammates feel obliged to look for Ronaldo whenever Portugal attack.
"We don't feel the need to pass him the ball," Conceicao said. "I pass it to whoever I think is in the best position and unmarked."
The Juventus winger stressed that Ronaldo remains an important member of the squad but is treated no differently from any other player.
"Cristiano is an example because of his career and the hunger he still possesses at 41 years of age… an example of leadership and the goals he scores," he said.
"There is no one like him when it comes to scoring goals… He is here to help, just like any other player."
Conceicao added that Portugal's success depends on teamwork rather than individuals.
"He is just another member of the squad," he said, adding that the team needs "every individual for the collective to function".
Portugal now face mounting pressure to defeat Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday after dropping points in their opening match, with another setback likely to place their hopes of reaching the knockout stage in jeopardy.
"No one takes it harder than we do. We felt firsthand that we didn't do our job in the best possible way," Conceicao said.
"If things don't go well, there will be more pressure and more criticism. We want to show our quality and win the next match."
Ronaldo endured a subdued performance against DR Congo, registering only 25 touches during the entire match — the fewest he has recorded while completing a full game for Portugal at a major international tournament.
The display drew unfavourable comparisons with long-time rival Lionel Messi, who produced a hat-trick a day earlier to inspire defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
Criticism has also extended beyond Ronaldo to Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, with several pundits questioning his reluctance to substitute the veteran forward despite his limited impact.
Former France striker Thierry Henry accused Ronaldo of prioritising personal goals over the team's needs.
"The team needs to score, not you need to score," Henry said on Fox.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton also criticised Martinez's decision to leave Ronaldo on the pitch while withdrawing midfielder Vitinha late in the match.
"That's embarrassing from Martinez," Sutton said on the BBC after the Portuguese coach replaced Vitinha instead of Ronaldo in the 83rd minute.
"He's scared to take him off. He's not the manager… the game has passed him [Ronaldo] by today."
Even DR Congo midfielder Ngalayel Mukau acknowledged that Ronaldo is no longer the force he once was, although he expressed admiration for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"Not really. We know he's no longer the same player as before and that he's older now," Mukau said when asked whether his side had devised a specific plan to neutralise Ronaldo.
"At his age, he can no longer put in the same effort as before, but I have tremendous respect for him."
The debate surrounding Ronaldo's place in Portugal's starting line-up has intensified amid suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos offers a more natural alternative as the team's central striker.
With Portugal seeking their first victory of the tournament, both Ronaldo and Martinez will be under intense scrutiny as they attempt to revive the nation's World Cup campaign. - June 22, 2026
