João Cancelo Defends Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Amid Criticism
João Cancelo has stepped firmly into the line of fire to defend two of this World Cup’s most scrutinised stars, insisting neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Neymar owes anyone an explanation.
Ronaldo, now 41 and still leading the line for Portugal, was heavily criticised after a flat display in his country’s opening 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Neymar, 34, has yet to play a minute for Brazil at this tournament because of a calf injury, a situation that has fuelled claims he should not have been called up at all.
Cancelo is having none of it.
“I don't think Neymar or Cristiano need to prove anything to anyone,” the Portugal defender told reporters, cutting through the noise with a simple verdict.
Their careers back him up. Ronaldo has joined Argentina captain Lionel Messi as only the second player to appear at six World Cups, a staggering feat of longevity and obsession. He remains the men’s all-time leading international scorer, with 143 goals since his debut in 2003. Neymar, for his part, sits atop Brazil’s scoring charts with 79 goals in 128 caps, despite not pulling on the shirt since tearing his ACL on international duty in October 2023.
“Their talent and what they've achieved in football speak for themselves,” Cancelo said. “All that talk is just for show. Both Cristiano and Neymar know who they are and what they represent for their countries.”
The message was clear: judge the legends if you must, but remember the body of work before you fixate on a single game or an injury lay-off.
Hendry ready for Neymar rematch
While the debate rages around Neymar’s place in Brazil’s squad, one man is quietly hoping the forward does make it onto the pitch on Wednesday: Jack Hendry.
Scotland face Brazil in a World Cup Group C clash in Miami, and Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar is fit to play after missing the first two matches with that calf problem.
Hendry, speaking at Scotland’s training base in Charlotte, North Carolina, barely blinked at the prospect of seeing the Brazilian lined up in front of him again.
“Yeah, no problem,” the 31-year-old defender said calmly when asked about a potential reunion. “Obviously, he was out in the league I was in [in Saudi Arabia]. I'm quite comfortable coming up against Neymar and I look forward to it, it really should be a good battle.”
The pair’s paths have crossed before. As a Club Brugge player in the 2021-22 season, Hendry faced Neymar in the Champions League when the Brazilian formed part of a Paris Saint-Germain front three with Messi and Kylian Mbappé. It was the sort of assignment that can either expose a defender or harden him.
“I played against him in the Champions League when he was at PSG, obviously that was a good test,” Hendry recalled. “Obviously the front three at that time were Messi, Mbappé and Neymar. It's a not bad front three so it was a good experience.”
Hendry later moved to Al-Ettifaq in 2023, with Neymar also heading to Saudi Arabia to sign for Al-Hilal before returning to Brazilian side Santos. Injury again intervened.
“I think he got injured out in Saudi, he did his ACL, which was unfortunate, obviously I would have played against him more,” Hendry said.
That Champions League night remains vivid, though, and it has shaped his approach to facing elite forwards.
“I think the first game, we did well. I think maybe 0-0 or 1-1, I can't remember, but I think that was one of the first games they played together,” he said. “So you need to be concentrated, playing against these kind of players, because one split second you switch off, they can punish you, so it was a good experience.
“You learn a lot from these moments, playing against these top calibre players. So I look forward to it and we'll see if he plays.”
If Ancelotti does unleash Neymar in Miami, the Brazilian will walk into a storm of opinion and expectation. On one side, Cancelo’s staunch defence of a generational talent. On the other, a Scotland back line led by a defender who has already tested himself against that “not bad front three” and is eager for another crack at one of the game’s greats.
