Conceição: No obligation to pass ball to Ronaldo
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- Francisco Conceição rejected suggestions Portugal must constantly look for Cristiano Ronaldo, saying "we don't have any obligation or need to pass the ball to him" and that he passes to whoever is best unmarked in the moment.
- Conceição made his comments a day after Portugal's opening 1-1 draw with Congo DR in Group K, a result that drew criticism aimed at both the team and Ronaldo specifically.
- Conceição, 23, made his World Cup debut in the Congo DR match, 24 years after his father Sérgio Conceição played for Portugal at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
- Ronaldo, 41, was praised by Conceição as "an example" for his relentless hunger and motivation, training "as if it were his last session," while Conceição stressed the veteran is "one more in the team who is here to help."
- Conceição joined Juventus permanently from FC Porto last summer in a deal worth around £27.5 million ($36.5m) and said he and his Portugal teammates are accustomed to pressure at big clubs.
- Portugal returns to action Tuesday in Houston against Uzbekistan, seeking their first victory of the tournament under manager Roberto Martínez.
Why it matters: Portugal's opening draw with Congo DR triggered external narratives that the team has become overly dependent on a 41-year Ronaldo, and Conceição — the son of a former Portugal World Cup player — is publicly dismantling that framing in defense of the squad's collective identity with a must-win group match against Uzbekistan looming in Houston.
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