In the aftermath of Portugal’s lackluster 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their World Cup opener, former England international Michael Owen has come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo, urging critics to remember the forward’s knack for silencing doubters. Owen, writing in his Daily Mail column, expressed confidence that Ronaldo can match the brilliance of Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria just a day prior. The timing of Messi’s performance intensified scrutiny on Ronaldo, but Owen believes the Portuguese star will respond emphatically.
Owen stated, “How many times has he faced similar situations and silenced his critics in the following game? If you choose to include Ronaldo in your lineup, you must accept the role he plays – and I would not be surprised if he responds with a hat-trick against Uzbekistan.” The former Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that Ronaldo’s struggles were exacerbated by Messi’s heroics, but he refused to pile on the criticism.
Statistics from the match paint a concerning picture: Ronaldo failed to test the goalkeeper with any of his three shots and made little impact on the game. This outing extended his goal drought in major tournaments to ten consecutive appearances. At 41, questions about his form are growing louder, but Owen remains undeterred in his support.
Owen’s vote of confidence comes amid a wave of criticism directed at Ronaldo, with some pundits questioning his place in the starting XI. However, Owen’s message is clear: Ronaldo’s history of proving doubters wrong should not be overlooked, and a strong performance against Uzbekistan could turn the tide.