Portuguese midfielder João Neves has stressed that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer treated differently within the national team and must contribute equally like every other player.
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s upcoming matches, Neves acknowledged Ronaldo’s legendary status but made clear the shift in dynamics.
“We know what Cristiano Ronaldo has done for us, for our national team, and for the world of football but at this moment, he and we know that he is no different,” Neves said.
“He is just another player here to help. No different from the others. He is here to contribute just like all of us,” he added.
Following the statement, fans instantly flooded Neves’ Instagram with heavy backlash and criticism.
The situation gained even more attention when Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, appeared to interact with posts criticizing Bruno Fernandes, leading many fans to speculate about tensions within the Portugal camp.
The comments reflect a new phase for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who continues to feature prominently for Portugal despite his age, as the team balances experience with emerging talents during the 2026 World Cup campaign.
While some interpreted the comment as a sign of team unity and equality within the squad, many supporters viewed it as disrespectful toward Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players in football history.
With fans targeting Neves and Bruno Fernandes, two of the team’s key players while protecting Ronaldo, Portugal is now dealing with intense pressure and internal division.
