Diogo Dalot isn't naming names — but he's clearly got people in mind. The Portugal defender came out swinging on Saturday, insisting that the backlash following their 1-1 draw with Democratic Republic of Congo isn't just criticism. Some of it, he says, is something else entirely.
"There are people who don't want Portugal to win," Dalot told reporters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. "My job is to go out there, play and send a message that the group is strong and united despite the result."
That result — a flat draw with DR Congo in Group K — opened the floodgates online. Dalot acknowledged it's been a rough few days, but the message from the camp is deliberate: stay off social media, stay tight, move on.
The Ronaldo question
Inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo came up. At 40, playing his sixth World Cup, the scrutiny after a quiet opening performance was always coming. Dalot didn't dodge it.
"Everybody is aware of Cristiano's ability to deal with criticism. Pressure is a part of a competition at this level. Our opinion of him hasn't changed."
It's a loyal defence, but also a slightly revealing one. When your teammate's form requires a press conference defence two games in, the questions aren't going away. Portugal's attacking output — and Ronaldo's role within it — will be under the microscope against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
Cutting off the noise
Dalot revealed the squad had a pre-tournament conversation about social media and criticism, specifically with Ronaldo's presence in mind. "When you have a team like this, especially with Cristiano in your team, we need to learn to deal with criticism that is not normal." The squad, he said, has collectively stepped back from the platforms.
Whether that discipline holds after a second poor result is another matter. Portugal still have a path through the group, and Dalot is right that an early setback is better than a late one. Their odds of progressing remain intact — but another draw and this story gets considerably harder to manage from the inside.
"The earlier the setbacks, the easier it is for us to kill that theme and move on," Dalot said. Right now, that's the plan. Uzbekistan will determine whether Portugal get to execute it.
