🎙️ Jamie Carragher on Ronaldo’s sisters’ Instagram post and fan reactions to João Neves and Bruno Fernandes:
“Don’t try to rewrite history like Ronaldo has never had bad moments.
Even they said it themselves, there was a time, years ago, when he could drop into midfield, take the ball, beat players and score on his own. That version of Ronaldo was different. He can’t do that anymore.
That’s why Portugal now need young, technical, progressive players who can also recover and do the hard work.
It shouldn’t be about making everything about Ronaldo or attacking other players under their posts, even dragging in João Neves’ girlfriend. That’s not right.
Right now, it feels like they want Vitinha, Neves, Bruno and the whole squad to carry him.
But is he ready to make that sacrifice? Step back a little, allow the younger players to take more responsibility, and impact games in shorter spells, 15 to 20 minutes, especially until the decisive stages of the competition.”
🎙️ Rio Ferdinand and Joel Beya on Thierry Henry’s comments about Cristiano Ronaldo
Rio Ferdinand:
“There’s some beef there. The way I see Thierry talk about Cristiano… I don’t know, it’s more about what he doesn’t say. There’s no zest, no spark. It almost feels like he’s downplaying him.
I remember that moment at Highbury when Thierry tapped him on the back of the head, Cristiano pushed him off, then went on to score. Thierry just took kickoff and faded into the background with Bergkamp.”
Joel Beya:
“It’s very easy to get sucked into this narrative that Cristiano just changed his game and became all about goals and selfishness. Do people actually understand what he has done in football?”
Rio Ferdinand:
“I don’t know about all that. I’ve seen how R9 talks about Cristiano, but Thierry…”
Joel Beya:
“Yeah, R9 said Ronaldo is like a top eight striker or something like that.”
Rio Ferdinand:
“Either way, Ronaldo is operating at the very top level.”
🎙️ Roy Keane on a Manchester United fan comment under Bruno Fernandes’ Instagram post:
“I just saw this comment and had to take a deep breath.
The part that got me most was: ‘If Cristiano Ronaldo still had the legs, speed and power of his prime, he wouldn’t need anyone.’
This is exactly what I’ve been saying.
Rúben Neves, Vitinha and especially Bruno, should sacrifice at this World Cup. Create as many assists as possible, score when the opportunity comes, and do everything to win it for him.
Before Ronaldo, Portugal had 0 trophies. During his reign, they’ve won 2.”
🚨 Players who showed up (and those who didn’t) in Canada vs Qatar 🇨🇦🇶🇦
FIFA Man of the Match ⭐
• Jonathan David
Up to expectations ✅
• Jonathan David
• Cyle Larin
• Stephen Eustáquio
• Richie Laryea
• Tajon Buchanan
• Alistair Johnston
• De Fougerolles
Average ➖
• Ismaël Koné
• Ahmed
• Crépeau
• Afif
• Gaber
• Edmilson Junior
• Khoukhi
Below expectations ❌
• Cornelius
• Laye
• Pedro Miguel
• Al Oui
• Abunada
• Madibo (red card)
• Al Amin (red card)
🎙️ Roy Keane on Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 🇵🇹🇨🇩
“I went back and watched the highlights again…
You’ve got midfielders like Bruno, Vitinha and Neves, and Ronaldo is getting just 5 passes in the opponent’s box for the whole 90 minutes? That’s not good enough.
I saw Bruno taking shots when he should be passing, even showing frustration when Ronaldo had an effort that could’ve been laid off to him.
At some point, you’ve got to remember your role. Your job is to create for the striker, not make it all about yourself.”
🚨 Big players who showed up (and those who didn’t) in England vs Croatia 🇭🇷 🏴
Up to expectations ✅
• Jude Bellingham
• Harry Kane
• Bukayo Saka
• Declan Rice
• Martin Baturina
• Petar Musa
• Dominik Livaković
• Marcus Rashford
Average ➖
• Pickford
• Anthony Gordon
• John Stones
• O’Reilly
• Rogers
Below expectations ❌
• Stones
• Mario Pašalić
• Reece James
• Ezri Konsa
• Luka Modrić
FIFA Man of the Match ⭐
• Harry Kane
🎙️ Jamie Carragher on Portugal 1-1 DR Congo 🇵🇹🇨🇩
“When I said ‘leave football before it leaves you’, I wasn’t targeting one player…
But today showed it clearly, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the same player he was 2–3 years ago.
At some point, you have to accept it… maybe it’s time to use him differently, or even start from the bench.”
🚨 Big players who showed up (and those who didn’t) in Portugal vs DR Congo 🇵🇹🇨🇩
Up to expectations ✅
• João Neves
• Bruno Fernandes
• Vitinha
• Renato Veiga
• Tomás Araújo
• Pedro Neto
• Yoane Wissa
Average ➖
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Cédric Bakambu
• Nuno Mendes
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka
• Diogo Costa
Below expectations ❌
• Bernardo Silva
• João Cancelo
Man of the Match ⭐
• João Neves
Lionel Messi — 3 goals
Kylian Mbappé — 2 goals
Erling Haaland — 2 goals
All eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo now…
How many do you think he’s scoring tonight? 👀🔥