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Ronaldo and Neymar have nothing to prove, says Cancelo

  /  autty

Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have nothing to prove to their doubters at the World Cup, believes Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo.

Ahead of Portugal facing Uzbekistan in their second group game on Tuesday, Ronaldo has been fiercely criticised for his display in last week's 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive games without scoring a goal at major tournaments for Portugal (World Cup/Euros), the longest run of his international career. 

Meanwhile, Brazil are close to booking their place in the knockout stages after beating Haiti 3-0 in their second Group C game, but Neymar is yet to be involved due to a calf injury. He is expected to be available for Brazil's final group game on Thursday, versus Scotland in Miami.

Neymar was recalled by Carlo Ancelotti after almost three years out of the international picture, having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his most recent Brazil outing in 2023.

Their struggles have contrasted starkly with the exploits of some of the World Cup's other big names.

Lionel Messi has five goals in Argentina's opening two games and now holds the all-time tournament goal record outright, with his 18 goals putting him two clear of Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappe – who has four goals in France's first two matches.

Erling Haaland has matched Mbappe's return, helping Norway book their place in the knockouts.

But Ronaldo's team-mate Cancelo insists the criticism will not get to those players, telling reporters: "I don't think Neymar or Cristiano need to prove anything to anyone.

"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."

There have been suggestions that the presence of Ronaldo is more harmful to Portugal's prospects than it is helpful, but Cancelo insists it has not caused any tension in the camp.

"We're more united, we're stronger. We're playing a World Cup, of course there's a lot of noise, a lot of tension, it's part of the game," he said.

"Our focus is on the team. We're more united than before we arrived. There's no tension. He's an example, as a captain. And he's reacted as a captain, with a lot of experience. 

"He wants to contribute, and he's a role model for our team. He opens up spaces with his movements. The numbers support him.

"He's probably the biggest example of how to recover, how to train. But that doesn't take away the feeling of frustration we all have, as a team."

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