Rubens News

Cristiano Ronaldo criticism is just noise: Ruben Dias after Thierry Henry remarks

Portugal defender Ruben Dias has leapt to Cristiano Ronaldo's defence after the veteran forward came under fresh scrutiny following Portugal's underwhelming World Cup opener. Dias dismissed the criticism surrounding his captain as "noise", insisting the squad remains focused on its campaign rather than outside opinions.Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening Group K fixture despite dominating possession and completing more than 700 passes. Speaking ahead of Portugal's second World Cup match against Uzbekistan, Dias said criticism of Ronaldo was nothing new and something the team had learned to block out over the years."Beyond what I've already said, I don't think anything out of the ordinary is happening. It's always been like this since I've been here, and I think it will continue to be," Dias said."In the end, it's just noise. We shut it out and focus on ourselves.""For all of us, it's not an issue. We're united in the belief that difficulties are positive and that it's through them we'll see what we're made of. We see them as an opportunity to create something positive," he added."My mind doesn't go in that direction. I don't pay attention when those things are thrown at us. I don't think any of us do. It shouldn't even be an issue."Portugal's frustrating start to the tournament extended Ronaldo's goal drought in major international tournaments to 10 matches, stretching back to the 2022 World Cup. The 41-year-old endured another quiet evening against DR Congo and was subsequently criticised by former France striker Thierry Henry, who questioned whether Portugal's focus on Ronaldo's personal milestones was helping the team.DIAS DISMISSES RONALDO SPECULATIONThe criticism quickly reignited debate over Ronaldo's role in the national side, particularly after Lionel Messi's hat-trick for Argentina vs Algeria earlier the same day intensified comparisons between football's two biggest icons.Dias, however, made it clear that neither Ronaldo nor the rest of the squad were interested in engaging with the noise surrounding the team. The Manchester City defender also brushed aside speculation over any divisions within the dressing room, including recurring social media theories surrounding Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.For Portugal's senior players, the focus remains firmly on improving performances rather than responding to criticism from pundits or supporters.PORTUGAL SEEK RESPONSE VS UZBEKISTANDespite dropping points in their opening match, Portugal remain well placed to qualify from Group K and know victory against Uzbekistan would significantly improve their position heading into the final round of fixtures.Dias, who recently returned from injury, expects another difficult test and warned that Portugal must show greater attacking sharpness after struggling to break down DR Congo's disciplined defensive setup."You never look for perfection in this kind of competition. I think the sooner challenges appear, the better. You only win if the team has the ability to keep improving game after game," Dias said."I don't expect perfect scenarios. The most important thing is to stay grounded."For Portugal, that may be the key lesson from an underwhelming opening night. While Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines, Martinez's side know their World Cup ambitions will ultimately be shaped by what they do on the pitch rather than the criticism that follows them off it.FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News - EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Jun 20, 2026 01:58 IST

2026-06-19

FA Cup and Premier League team news: predicted lineups for the weekend action

FA Cup semi-finals MANCHESTER CITY v SOUTHAMPTON Saturday 5.15pm BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 Venue Wembley Referee Craig Pawson This season G23 Y67 R3 3.04 cards/game Manchester City Subs from Donnarumma, Bettinelli, Lewis, Khusanov, O’Reilly, Alleyne, Guéhi, Kovacic, Silva, Cherki, Doku, Semenyo, Phillips, McAidoo, Gray, Mukasa Doubtful None Injured Dias (hamstring, May), Gvardiol (fractured tibia, May), Rodri (groin, unknown) Suspended None Form LWWWWW Leading scorer Haaland 35 Southampton Subs from Long, Stephens, Jelert, Kayi-Sanda, Quarshie, Traoré, Romeu, Fellows, Archer, Edozie, Sesay, Bragg, Williams, O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Larin, Robinson, Oyekunle, Dibaga Doubtful Stephens (calf) Injured Roerslev (knee, unknown), McCarthy (wrist, unknown) Suspended Downes (first of three), Manning (one match) Form WWWWWD Leading scorer Armstrong 11 • Stats from all competitions *** CHELSEA v LEEDS Sunday 3pm TNT Sports 1 Venue Wembley Referee Jarred Gillett This season G23 Y88 R1 3.87 cards/game Chelsea Subs from Jörgensen, James, Badiashile, Fofana, Sarr, Adarabioyo, Lavia, Essugo, Delap, Garnacho, Guiu, Mheuka, Merrick, Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong Doubtful Jörgensen (hip), Palmer (hamstring), James (hamstring), João Pedro (thigh) Injured Colwill (knee, 24 May), Gittens (hamstring, 9 May), Estêvão (hamstring, unknown) Suspended Mudryk (indefinite) Form LLWLLL Leading scorer Pedro 19 Leeds Subs from Perri, Bornauw, Byram, Longstaff, Gruev, Buonanotte, Piroe, Nmecha, Gnonto Doubtful None Injured Stach (ankle, 1 May), Rodon (ankle, 1 May), James (adductor, 1 May) Suspended None Form DDDWWD Leading scorer Calvert-Lewin 12 • Stats from all competitions *** Premier League FULHAM v ASTON VILLA Saturday 12.30pm TNT Sports 1 Venue Craven Cottage Referee Michael Oliver This season G25 Y75 R2 3.08 cards/game Fulham Subs from Lecomte, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson, Berge, Reed, King, Jiménez, Chukwueze, Kusi-Asare Doubtful None Injured Iwobi (hamstring, May), Kevin (metatarsal, May), Tete (foot, May) Suspended None Form WLDWLD Leading scorer Wilson 10 Aston Villa Subs from Bizot, Proctor, García, Mings, Lindelöf, Bogarde, Digne, Elliott, Buendía, Douglas Luiz, Sancho, Alysson, Bailey, Abraham Doubtful None Injured Kamara (knee, Jun) Suspended None Form LLLWDW Leading scorer Watkins 11 *** LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE Saturday 3pm Venue Anfield Referee Andy Madley This season G18 Y56 R3 3.28 cards/game Liverpool Subs from Alisson, Pecsi, Gomez, Robertson, Mac Allister, Jones, Nyoni, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Ramsay Doubtful Alisson (muscle) Injured Mamardashvili (knee, 9 May), Endo (ankle, 17 May), Bradley (knee, Aug), Leoni (knee, Aug), Ekitiké (achilles, unknown), Bajcetic (hamstring, unknown) Suspended None Form WLDLWW Leading scorer Ekitiké 11 Crystal Palace Subs from Benítez, Matthews, Clyne, Riad, Sosa, Hughes, Lerma, Doucouré, Mateta, Devenny, Uche, Johnson, Cardines, Umeh, King, Jemide, Agbinone, Drakes-Thomas Doubtful None Injured Nketiah (hamstring; unknown), Guessand (hamstring) Suspended None Form WLWDWD Leading scorer Mateta 10 *** WEST HAM v EVERTON Saturday 3pm Venue London Stadium Referee Stuart Attwell This season G21 Y98 R3 4.81 cards/game West Ham Subs from Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Magassa, Potts, Wilson, Lamadrid, Traoré, Herrick, Mayers, Kante Doubtful None Injured Fabianski (back, unknown) Suspended None Form LWDLWD Leading scorer Bowen 8 Everton Subs from Travers, King, Coleman, Patterson, Aznou, Iroegbunam, Röhl, Armstrong, Barry, Dibling, George Doubtful None Injured Beto (concussion, May), Branthwaite (hamstring, Aug), Grealish (foot, Aug) Suspended None Form WWLWDL Leading scorer Beto 8 *** WOLVES v TOTTENHAM Saturday 3pm Venue Molineux Referee Anthony Taylor This season G26 Y100 R2 3.92 cards/game Wolves Subs from Bentley, Møller Wolfe, Arias, Arokodare, Hwang, R Gomes, González, Chiwome, Mané Doubtful Sá (shoulder) Injured Krejci (whiplash, May), Johnstone (shoulder, Jun) Suspended Mosquera (second of two) Form LWWDLL Leading scorers Arokodare, R Gomes 3 Tottenham Subs from Austin, Dragusin, Souza, Byfield, Palhinha, Bergvall, Gray, Maddison, Williams-Barnett, Olusesi, Richarlison, Kolo Muani, Wilson Doubtful Maddison (match fitness) Injured Vicario (hernia, May), Udogie (unknown, May), Romero (knee, Jun), Sarr (shoulder, unknown), Odobert (knee, unknown), Kulusevski (knee, unknown), Kudus (thigh, unknown), Davies (ankle, unknown) Suspended None Form LLDLLD Leading scorer Richarlison 9 *** ARSENAL v NEWCASTLE Saturday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League Venue Emirates Stadium Referee Sam Barrott This season G20 Y72 R1 3.65 cards/game Arsenal Subs from Arrizabalaga, Setford, White, Timber, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nørgaard, Gyökeres, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard, Jesus, Dowman, Harriman-Annous, Ibrahim Doubtful Timber (ankle) Injured Merino (foot, unknown) Suspended None Form WWWWLL Leading scorer Gyökeres 12 Newcastle Subs from Ramsdale, Botman, Willock, Ramsey, Woltemade, Wissa, A Murphy, Neave, Shahar, Elanga Doubtful None Injured Schär (ankle, May), Gordon (hip, May), Krafth (knee, Aug), Livramento (thigh, unknown) Suspended Joelinton (second of two) Form LWWLLL Leading scorer Guimarães 9 *** MANCHESTER UNITED v BRENTFORD Monday 8pm Sky Sports Premier League Venue Old Trafford Referee Chris Kavanagh This season G25 Y92 R3 3.8 cards/game Manchester Utd Subs from Bayindir, Heaton, Mazraoui, Yoro, Malacia, León, Ugarte, Mount, Sesko, Zirkzee, Obi, Fredericson, Mee, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Mantato, Lacey Doubtful Yoro (match fitness) Injured Dorgu (muscle, May), De Ligt (back, unknown) Suspended Martínez (second of three) Form WLWDLW Leading scorers Mbeumo, Sesko 9 Brentford Subs from Valdimarsson, Balcombe, Ajer, Pinnock, Hickey, Donovan, Nelson Doubtful Dasilva (match fitness) Injured Furo (knock, May), Henderson (knock, May), Carvalho (knee, Jun), Milambo (ACL, Jun), Henry (hamstring, unknown), Janelt (metatarsal, unknown) Suspended None Form WDDDDD Leading scorer Igor Thiago 21

2026-04-24