Portugal midfielder says no pressure to pass to Ronaldo

Portugal winger Francisco Conceicao has insisted his teammates do not feel pressured to pass the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, despite criticism surrounding the veteran superstar's role in the team's disappointing World Cup opener.

Critics have questioned whether Ronaldo's lack of mobility at age 41 is negatively affecting Portugal's chances, following a lackluster 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Conceicao said there is no issue with players feeling obliged to pass to Ronaldo if other teammates are in better attacking positions.

"We do not feel the need to pass to him," Conceicao said. "I pass to whoever I think is in the best position and unmarked."

Conceicao described Ronaldo as "just another member of the team", adding that the squad needs "every individual for the collective to function."

The Juventus player said: "Cristiano is an example because of his career and the desire he still has at age 41... an example of leadership and the goals he scores."

"No one else is like him when it comes to scoring... He is here to help, just like any other player."

Ronaldo worked hard but was ineffective, marginalised in attack. His 25 touches were the fewest he has managed in a major tournament match for Portugal when playing the full 90 minutes.

The contrast with longtime rival Lionel Messi was stark, with the 38-year-old scoring a hat-trick the day before to help defending champions Argentina beat Algeria 3-0.

Portugal face Uzbekistan in their second Group K match in Houston on Tuesday, determined to secure three points and kick-start their campaign.

"No one is more disappointed than us. We feel directly that we did not complete the task in the best way," Conceicao said.

"If things do not go well, there will be more pressure and criticism. We want to show our quality and win the next match."

After the draw with DR Congo, former France striker Thierry Henry criticised Ronaldo for being selfish. "The team needs to score, not you need to score," Henry said on Fox.

After the draw in Houston, DR Congo midfielder Ngalayel Mukau was asked whether they had a plan to stop Ronaldo. "Not really. We know he is no longer the player he was before and is older," Mukau replied. "At this age, he cannot work as hard as before, but I have great respect for him."

Mukau's assessment was gentler than the criticism directed at Ronaldo, and coach Roberto Martinez also came under fire. Some pundits accused the Spanish coach of being afraid to drop the captain or even substitute him.

"That is shameful from Martinez," former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told the BBC after Martinez kept Ronaldo on the pitch and substituted midfielder Vitinha in the 83rd minute. "He is afraid to replace him. He is not a coach... the game passed him [Ronaldo] by today."

Critics argued that Martinez does have alternatives. Goncalo Ramos, the Paris Saint-Germain striker who replaced Vitinha, is a ready-made replacement and a pure centre-forward.