“He is just another player” – João Neves dismisses Ronaldo’s star status at 2026 World Cup

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Portuguese midfielder João Neves has publicly insisted that captain Cristiano Ronaldo is being treated as an equal squad member rather than a privileged superstar during their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Portugal midfielder João Neves has called for unity and level ground within the national team squad following their frustrating 1-1 World Cup opening draw against DR Congo.

Speaking to reporters, the 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star addressed intense media scrutiny surrounding captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s monumental status, emphasizing that the legendary 41-year-old forward receives no special privileges.

The young goalscorer, who headed Portugal into an early lead at NRG Stadium, firmly downplayed individual narratives ahead of their crucial upcoming Group K clash against Uzbekistan.

Neves openly stressed that while the entire squad deeply respects Ronaldo’s unmatched historical contributions to global football, the veteran icon is internally regarded as just another teammate fighting to achieve collective tournament success.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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