Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister defends him after World Cup draw against DR Congo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has defended the Portugal captain following criticism of his display against DR Congo by insisting none of Roberto Martinez’s players performed to the expected standard, reports BritPanorama.
Portugal were forced to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw in Houston, having surrendered an early lead in their opening World Cup fixture. Joao Neves had initially put Martinez’s side ahead with a deft header, but Yoane Wissa equalised shortly before half-time after being left unmarked inside the penalty area.
Ronaldo led the line for Portugal but was unable to convert either of the chances that fell his way after the interval, leading pundits to question the veteran forward’s influence. Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry suggested that the 41-year-old was focusing too much on personal scoring ambitions rather than the needs of the team. “The team needs to score, it’s not you who needs to score,” Henry remarked during analysis on Fox Sports.
In response, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, quickly came to her brother’s defense on social media, arguing that Portugal collectively fell short. “They magically forgot how to pass the ball, how to win the ball, how to counter-attack, the game ‘rolled’ back from midfield,” she stated on Instagram, emphasising that the disappointing performance extended beyond just one player.
Aveiro later elaborated in a video message, expressing her disappointment as a supporter while insisting that no player had performed well. She shared her sentiments on the game’s outcome, suggesting that it would be “selfish” to feel sad about the draw when compared to more significant issues, including recent tragedies affecting the football community.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding Ronaldo’s performance, Martinez remains convinced of his value to the team. He commented, “It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals,” highlighting the experience Ronaldo brings and how he attracts defenders, providing space for others.
As Ronaldo made history by becoming the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days, he is now facing a challenging stretch, having not scored in his last 10 appearances at major international tournaments. The draw serves as a reminder of the pressures and unpredictabilities both individual players and teams face on the big stage, demonstrating how even the most celebrated athletes can be drawn into collective struggles in competitive settings.
