Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to find the back of the net in Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the World Cup earlier this week, but Michael Owen has defended the former Manchester United forward
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo's performance for Portugal at the World Cup has been a topic of debate(Image: Joe Buvid/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Michael Owen has come to Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo's defence following the forward's display in Portugal's World Cup opener. Ronaldo failed to get on the scoresheet as his side were held to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo earlier this week.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves broke the deadlock for Portugal on Wednesday before Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa levelled things up before half-time.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes of the Group K encounter, and the 41-year-old will be eager to help steer his nation to three points in their next outing against Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening.
The Al Nassr star's display has sparked considerable debate, particularly after Lionel Messi netted a hat-trick for Argentina 24 hours earlier in their 3-0 victory over Algeria.
Now, Owen has stepped in to defend Ronaldo and outlined what Portugal must do to unlock the best from the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, alongside a prediction for the country's upcoming clash with Uzbekistan.
"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 in the Daily Mail.
"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.
"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. If he’s not scoring, it’s too easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41, he is going to be 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 - and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responds with a hat-trick of his own against Uzbekistan."
Following the stalemate with DR Congo, Ronaldo took to social media to deliver a pointed message to Portugal supporters ahead of the rest of their World Cup campaign.
"Not the start we wanted, but this is far from over," Ronaldo posted on Instagram earlier this week. "Head up and focus on the next game."
After facing Uzbekistan, Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates will then take on Colombia on Saturday night in their concluding World Cup group stage match.