Cristiano Ronaldo aims to revive Portugal after draw ahead of Uzbekistan clash

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with a smile after his side were held to a 1‑1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The draw left Portugal needing a win against Uzbekistan in their next group‑stage game to stay in contention for the knockout round.

Portuguese media criticised Ronaldo for failing to influence the match, noting missed chances and a lack of his usual impact. In response, Ronaldo posted on Instagram urging teammates to “focus on what you can control” and shared a photo with ten squad members, saying “always united”. The posts came amid internal tension sparked by comments from teammate João Nieves and a public spat involving Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez.

The team hopes the next fixture will silence critics and restore confidence as the tournament progresses.