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Francisco Conceicao has made it clear that Portugal’s players do not feel any special obligation to pass the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 World Cup. Ahead of their key fixture against Uzbekistan, the Juventus winger explained that the veteran forward is viewed as part of a united team determined to bounce back and perform strongly on football’s biggest international stage.

‘He is here to help’

Conceicao addressed the team dynamic surrounding their iconic captain as Portugal prepared for their second group stage encounter with Uzbekistan. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Juventus star responded to questions about the media attention focused on Ronaldo and the rest of the squad.

He stated, “I believe Cristiano… when it comes to scoring goals, there’s no one like him. But we don’t feel any pressure or duty to give him the ball — I pass to whoever is in the best position. He’s here to help us, just like any other player.”

Calling for collective improvement

The winger continued to praise Ronaldo while challenging the entire team to raise their level after their opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo. “He’s a role model — for his career, for his constant hunger to win, and for the way he trains every day as if it’s his last. If he has achieved so much and still shows such desire, then ours must be even stronger. He’s just another teammate who’s here to contribute; we need everyone to make the team function,” Conceicao added. Recognising the tense atmosphere after the disappointing opener, he stressed the urgency of improvement. “Before we talk, we must prove to ourselves that we can react. We want to move past this moment quickly,” he said.

Struggles against DR Congo

Portugal’s emphasis on teamwork comes after a frustrating 1-1 stalemate with DR Congo on Wednesday. Ronaldo had only 25 touches throughout the match, leading to widespread criticism. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves also drew attention with his candid post-match comments. The 21-year-old said, “We all know what Cristiano has done for us, for our national team, and for world football. But right now, both he and we understand that he’s no different. He’s another player here to help, just like all of us.”

What’s next for Portugal?

Portugal will now need to block out external criticism and focus on translating their collective mindset into a strong performance against Uzbekistan. A convincing display is crucial if Roberto Martinez’s team are to move beyond the disappointment of the DR Congo result and make a deep run in the tournament. The Portuguese side will conclude their group stage campaign against Colombia on June 28.