Former England striker Michael Owen has come out in defence of Cristiano Ronaldo following mounting criticism of the Portugal captain after their 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ronaldo endured a relatively quiet outing in the Group K fixture, with Portugal dropping points in a result that quickly reignited debate around his form and role within the national team.
The reaction was amplified by Lionel Messi’s stunning hat-trick for Argentina just a day earlier, further intensifying comparisons between the two long-time rivals.
Messi had stolen headlines with a three-goal performance in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, keeping the defending champions firmly on course in their campaign and once again placing the spotlight on his enduring influence.
Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!
However, Owen has dismissed the growing criticism of Ronaldo, insisting that expectations around the 41-year-old forward ignore the evolution of his role in modern football.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Owen said he does not agree with the negative narrative forming around the Portugal star.
“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 stated.
Owen argued that Ronaldo’s game has always been defined by efficiency rather than involvement in build-up play, particularly in the latter stages of his career.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
“But hasn’t he always played like this, to a degree? 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,” he explained.
“If he’s not scoring, it’s too easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41, he is going to be questioned.”
Despite Ronaldo going through a scoring spell without major impact in recent tournament matches, Owen believes history shows the Portuguese forward’s ability to respond under pressure when it matters most.
“But how many times has this happened, and he’s shut everyone up in the next game?” Owen added. “If you’re picking Ronaldo, then you have to accept what he is there for, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responds with a hat-trick of his own against Uzbekistan.”
READ: Cape Verde coach eyes FIFA World Cup knockout rounds after Uruguay draw
