HOUSTON — Portugal defender Ruben Dias has pushed back against the intense scrutiny directed at captain Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the entire squad shares responsibility for the team's lackluster start to the World Cup .

The veteran forward, who at 41 is the oldest outfield player in the tournament, produced a quiet performance as Portugal was held to a surprising 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener in Houston . Ronaldo failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match .

As the world's most recognizable player, Ronaldo has borne the brunt of the criticism. French legend Thierry Henry was among those questioning the forward's approach, suggesting Ronaldo prioritized personal glory over team success.

However, Dias, who missed the opener due to injury but is expected to return against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, believes it is unfair to single out any one individual.

"The criticism is not directed at just one player," Dias stated firmly. "Ronaldo is always the center of attention, but I think we are all in the dock. There is nothing unusual happening here. I have seen this situation since I arrived in the team, and it will remain this way in the future" .

Portugal's failure to secure a win against the African side has exposed vulnerabilities in a squad considered among the tournament favorites. The pressure has also fallen on midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, with some observers claiming they failed to provide Ronaldo with adequate service.

Dias dismissed such chatter, asserting that the team's confidence remains unshaken. "What you are saying is not what I saw on the pitch," he said. "There is a lot of gossip and whispering. It is natural that the noise triples when the result is not what we expected. But our confidence has not cracked one bit" .

The Manchester City defender offered a pragmatic perspective on the team's early struggles, framing the adversity as a necessary part of a long tournament journey. "In such a big tournament, you cannot expect everything to be perfect all the time," he explained. "I think the sooner difficult situations come, the better. Winning is only possible if you have the mentality to improve match by match."

Dias, who has become a key leader in the squad, emphasized the importance of focusing on internal goals rather than external noise. "At the end of the day, these are just outside voices," he said. "We distance ourselves from them and focus on our own work."

"These situations are not new to us," he added. "We believe difficult circumstances give birth to something good. We see it as a positive. When obstacles arise, you see how far our quality can take us."

Portugal will look to get their campaign back on track when they face Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston. Dias, who has fully recovered from a minor injury, is expected to be restored to the starting lineup, bringing much-needed stability to the Portuguese defense.