English striker Michael Owen has publicly defended Cristiano Ronaldo following increased scrutiny directed at the Portuguese star after the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Portugal secured a 1-1 draw in their group stage debut against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but was unable to register a goal or an assist during the contest.
Owen suggested that the criticism leveled at the Portuguese captain is disproportionate, arguing that the team’s overall performance cannot be solely attributed to him. Speaking on the matter, the English player acknowledged the context of recent footballing events, noting that “Messi’s hat-trick the day before Portugal’s match does not help Cristiano, but I will not criticize him.”
He elaborated that while Portugal failed to showcase its best form in the match against the DRC, the majority of the negative commentary appears to stem from the assumption that Ronaldo was the root cause of the team’s issues. Owen’s comments serve as a measured defense of the athlete amid the intense media focus surrounding Ronaldo following the draw.
The discussion highlights a recurring theme in international football coverage, where individual performances are often scrutinized intensely after a team result.
Topics: #ronaldo #against #english
It’s interesting to see former players stepping up to defend current stars.
What specific aspects of Ronaldo’s performance or conduct are Michael Owen defending against the scrutiny?