The sibling of Cristiano Ronaldo has come to his brother’s defense following criticism from some fans regarding the superstar’s performance in the 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
At 41, Ronaldo faced backlash after Portugal ended in a draw in their opening group match for the 2026 World Cup.
Credit: Instagram @elma_oficial
Credit: Instagram elma_oficial
The Al-Nassr player lagged behind standout performances from Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland.
As the match drew to a close at Houston Stadium, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled to make an impact and achieve the milestone of being the first man to score in six different World Cups in his opening match.
Elma Aveiro, Ronaldo’s elder sister, took to Instagram, claiming that Portugal was “cheated.”
The 53-year-old entrepreneur noted: “I believe beginnings can be tough, but endings can be rewarding.”
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“You’re the ones on the pitch. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines. Additionally, experiencing a loss isn’t easy,” she added.
Meanwhile, Katia Aveiro, another sister of Ronaldo, directed focus towards the team’s overall performance.
As reported by the Portuguese daily Record, she remarked: “It seems they forgot how to pass, regain possession, or initiate counter-attacks.”
“The game transitioned from midfield outward. This World Cup is distinctive. Unique. But let’s keep pushing. Poor starts can lead to strong finishes. All the way.”
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Ronaldo—who played the entire match—will be hoping to end his unusual World Cup drought.
His goalless streak in major international tournaments has now reached ten matches, dating back to Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Ghana in the 2022 World Cup.
PSG’s Joao Neves netted the opening goal for Portugal with a header.
However, Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa scored the first-ever World Cup goal for his nation.
Portugal will face tournament newcomers Uzbekistan on Tuesday, followed by a clash against current group leaders Colombia.
