Houston: Former England striker and ex-Manchester United forward Michael Owen has come to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo following mounting criticism of the Portugal captain after his side’s disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup.
The result has sparked intense debate in Portugal, with reports of dressing-room tensions emerging and questions being raised about manager Roberto Martínez’s tactics and his continued reliance on the 41-year-old forward.
Ronaldo’s subdued display in Houston further intensified scrutiny, with the veteran managing only 25 touches and failing to register a single shot on target during the match.
Ronaldo faces growing criticism
Portugal’s opening World Cup performance has been widely criticised, with much of the focus falling on Ronaldo.
The draw against a resilient DR Congo side has led to suggestions that Portugal’s attack lacks fluidity and that the team’s tactical setup is too dependent on its ageing captain.
Ronaldo’s latest outing also extended an unwanted run, with the Portuguese star now having gone 10 consecutive matches in major international tournaments without scoring for his country.
The pressure on the veteran forward increased further after long-time rival Lionel Messi produced a stunning hat-trick for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria a day earlier.
Comparisons between the two football icons have once again dominated discussions among fans and pundits.
Owen dismisses criticism of Portuguese captain
Despite the criticism, Michael Owen believes Ronaldo is being unfairly targeted.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former England international said people should not misinterpret the natural evolution of Ronaldo’s playing style.
“It did not help Cristiano Ronaldo that Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick the night before Portugal played, but I’m not having the criticism of him,” Owen said.
“Portugal weren’t great in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo and a lot of the fallout has been around Ronaldo and him being a problem for them.”
Owen argued that Ronaldo has, particularly in recent years, become a player who contributes through decisive moments rather than by being heavily involved throughout the game.
“He has never been a player, especially in recent years, who involves himself in the game. He will be there for the big moments, though. If he’s not scoring, it’s too easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41, he is going to be questioned,” he added.
Owen predicts Ronaldo comeback
The former Manchester United striker also expressed confidence that Ronaldo would once again silence his critics.
Owen pointed out that the Portuguese star has repeatedly responded strongly whenever his performances have been questioned.
“But how many times has this happened and he’s shut everyone up in the next game? If you’re picking Ronaldo then you have to accept what he is there for,” Owen said.
He even suggested that Ronaldo could produce a dramatic response in Portugal’s upcoming Group K fixture against Uzbekistan on June 23.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he responds with a hat-trick of his own against Uzbekistan,” Owen added.
Pressure mounts ahead of Uzbekistan clash
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has continued to deploy Ronaldo as the central figure in attack, supported by Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto.
However, several Portuguese football analysts have argued that the system limits the team’s attacking fluidity and have questioned whether changes are needed as the tournament progresses.
The pressure is now firmly on Portugal heading into Tuesday’s encounter against tournament debutants Uzbekistan, with the team seeking its first victory of the campaign.
For Ronaldo, the match offers another opportunity to do what he has done throughout his illustrious career — respond to criticism with a decisive performance and once again prove his enduring value on the international stage.
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