Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar don’t ‘need to provide anything to anyone’ – João Cancelo
Portugal defend João Cancelo says neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Neymar deserve the criticism they’re receiving at this World Cup.
Ronaldo, 41, got here underneath hearth within the media after a lackluster efficiency in Portugal’s first recreation, a 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Neymar, 34, has not performed for Brazil of their first two video games due to a calf damage, main critics to argue he mustn’t have been included within the squad.
“I don’t think Neymar or Cristiano need to provide anything to anyone,” Cancelo told reporters.
“Their talent and what they’ve achieved in football speak for themselves. All that talk is just for show. Both Cristiano and Neymar know who they are and what they represent for their countries.”
Ronaldo joined Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the one gamers to have competed in a sixth World Cup. The Portugal captain is the boys’s all-time main scorer with 143 targets since making his nationwide group debut in 2003.
Neymar is Brazil’s all-time main scorer with 79 targets in 128 appearances. He has not performed for Brazil since struggling an ACL tear in October 2023 whereas on worldwide obligation.
Jack Hendry has no concern of arising in opposition to Neymar ought to the Brazil star return to motion for the World Cup conflict with Scotland on Wednesday.
The 34-yr-outdated ahead missed his facet’s first two Group C video games with a calf damage, however head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he’s match to play in opposition to the Scots in Miami.
As a Club Brugge participant within the 2021-22 season, Hendry performed in a Champions League recreation in opposition to Neymar when he was a part of a Paris Saint-Germain ahead line which additionally included Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
When the 31-yr-outdated Scotland defender moved to Al-Ettifaq in 2023, Neymar joined him in Saudi Arabia by signing for Al-Hilal, though he has since moved to Brazilian facet Santos.
Speaking at Scotland’s coaching base in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hendry was requested in regards to the prospect of enjoying in opposition to Neymar once more.
The former Dundee and Celtic defender stated calmly: “Yeah, no problem. Obviously, he was out in the league I was in [in Saudi Arabia].
“I’m fairly snug arising in opposition to Neymar and I look ahead to it, it actually ought to be an excellent battle.
“I think he got injured out in Saudi, he did his ACL, which was unfortunate, obviously I would have played against him more.
“I performed in opposition to him within the Champions League when he was at PSG, clearly that was an excellent check.
“Obviously the entrance three at the moment have been Messi, Mbappé and Neymar. It’s a not unhealthy entrance three so it was an excellent expertise.
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“I believe the primary recreation, we did properly. I believe perhaps 0-0 or 1-1, I am unable to bear in mind, however I believe that was one of many first video games they performed collectively.
“So you need to be concentrated, playing against these kind of players, because one split second you switch off, they can punish you, so it was a good experience.
“You be taught lots from these moments, enjoying in opposition to these high caliber gamers.
“So I look forward to it and we’ll see if it plays.”
Press Association contributed to this report.
