Ronaldo said just one thing amidst the ridicule at the 2026 World Cup; his girlfriend offered encouragement, and his sister spoke up, saying, “They’re only blaming one person.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming the center of attention at the 2026 World Cup, but not in the way he wants.
Following Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match, CR7 faced a wave of intense criticism on social media. Failing to score, missing a golden opportunity, being chanted Messi’s name by fans as he left the field, and becoming the subject of numerous memes, the Portuguese captain is experiencing a very stressful start to the World Cup.
Amidst all the uproar, Ronaldo only posted one photo. The picture captured a moment of him on the field during the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Without explaining or responding to the ridicule flooding social media, the 41-year-old superstar simply wrote: “That wasn’t the start we wanted, but there’s still a long way to go. Keep your heads held high and focus on the next game.”
This short message quickly garnered millions of interactions. While many continued to criticize Portugal’s performance, a significant number of fans also called for patience, as the World Cup had only just begun. Georgina Rodriguez was among the first to send a message of encouragement to the post. Ronaldo’s longtime girlfriend left a heart emoji to support the Portuguese captain – a familiar gesture that always appears whenever CR7 faces pressure.
Ronaldo receives encouragement from his girlfriend amidst ridicule (Photo: Getty)
Not only Georgina, but Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, also publicly defended her brother. Watching the match from Brazil, Katia couldn’t hide her disappointment with the team’s performance.
“Completely disappointing. It’s a shame. I don’t understand why they suddenly forgot how to pass, how to compete for the ball, and how to counter-attack.”
However, what attracted even more attention was the status update, which was believed to be aimed directly at those criticizing Ronaldo: “Obviously, people will only blame one person. Luckily, those shoulders are broad enough to carry it all.”
According to CR7’s sister, those who truly understand football will realize that Portugal’s problem doesn’t lie with just one individual. This statement came at a time when Ronaldo was the target of ridicule on social media. However, judging by Ronaldo’s reaction, it seems he wasn’t too bothered by the controversy.
Instead of responding, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner only mentioned one goal: the next match. At 41, Ronaldo understands that this could very well be his last World Cup. And even though the opening day didn’t go as expected, his journey in the United States is still ahead.
For now, amidst thousands of taunts, Ronaldo has chosen the familiar path he’s followed throughout his more than 20-year career: silence, holding his head high, and moving forward.
