João Cancelo is tired of the noise. The Portugal fullback, usually measured in his public remarks, unloaded on critics Tuesday after watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar take heat at this World Cup.
"They have nothing to prove," Cancelo said flatly. "Not to anyone. Not to the media, not to the fans, not to the history books."
The comments came after Portugal's nervy 2-1 win over Uruguay, a match where Ronaldo was unusually quiet, missing two chances he'd have buried a decade ago. Critics pounced. Neymar, meanwhile, has been limping through this tournament with a bad ankle, his performances drawing whispers that he's past his peak at 34.
Two targets, same story
Cancelo sees a pattern he hates. Every tournament, the same names get dragged. Ronaldo and Neymar — two of the most decorated players of their generation — become punching bags the moment they fail to score a hat-trick.
"People forget what these guys have done," Cancelo said. "Cristiano has scored in five World Cups. Five. Neymar carried Brazil to a World Cup title in 2022. And now suddenly they're not good enough?"
The numbers back him up. Ronaldo's 22 World Cup goals are a record. Neymar's 12 goals and 8 assists in World Cup play put him in elite company. But this tournament, the noise has been louder than usual. Ronaldo's age — he's 41 now — and Neymar's injury history have become the story.
Cancelo isn't buying it.
"They don't have to prove anything to anyone. They've already proven it. The people criticizing them — what have they done?"
It's a fair question. Both players came into this World Cup under a microscope. Ronaldo, at 41, is playing in his sixth and likely final World Cup. He's no longer the explosive athlete who could beat three defenders and smash one top corner. He's older, smarter, and still dangerous — but that's not enough for the internet.
Neymar, meanwhile, has been battling an ankle injury that's visibly limited his mobility. He's played through pain, drawing double teams and still creating chances. But without his signature burst, the critics say he's a liability.
The gratitude gap
What strikes Cancelo most is the ingratitude. Ronaldo won Portugal its first major trophy at Euro 2016. Neymar delivered Brazil's sixth World Cup in 2022. Both have given their nations everything.
"Football fans have short memories," Cancelo said. "Six years ago, Ronaldo was a national hero. Now he's a problem. Neymar lifted the World Cup four years ago, and now he's a has-been. It makes no sense."
There's a deeper truth here. The same dynamic plays out across sports: aging superstars get judged against their prime selves, not against the field. Ronaldo at 41 isn't as good as Ronaldo at 31 — but he's still better than most players on the pitch. Neymar hobbled is still a threat. The standards are warped.
Cancelo's defense isn't blind loyalty. He's played alongside both men. He's seen Ronaldo's obsessive preparation, the way he studies opponents, the way he demands excellence from everyone around him. He's watched Neymar take brutal fouls and get up, game after game, never complaining.
"Cristiano's mentality is the strongest I've ever seen. He doesn't need my support — he's fine. But I think it's unfair how people talk about him. Same for Neymar."
What the numbers say
The stats don't tell the full story, but they help. In this World Cup, Ronaldo has 2 goals in 3 starts. Neymar has 1 goal and 2 assists in 2 starts. Neither is anywhere near washed.
Yet the narrative persists. A lot of it comes from social media, where hot takes get rewarded. Pundits and former players pile on. The cycle is predictable: a quiet game leads to doubt, doubt leads to criticism, criticism leads to headlines.
Cancelo thinks it's a waste of energy. "We should be enjoying these players while they're still here. One day they won't be, and we'll miss them. Then we'll talk about how great they were. Why not appreciate them now?"
The real question
Cancelo's comments raise a bigger question: What do we owe our aging icons? Is it fair to expect Ronaldo to be superhuman at 41? Is it reasonable to demand Neymar play through an injury and still be magical?
The answer, obviously, is no. But sports fandom is rarely reasonable. We worship athletes for their peak performances and then punish them for aging. It's the cruelest cycle in the game.
Portugal and Brazil both advanced to the knockout stage. Ronaldo and Neymar are still on the pitch, still mattering, still drawing the world's attention. Cancelo's message is simple: stop looking for reasons to tear them down and start appreciating the last chances we have.
"They've given us everything," Cancelo said. "The least we can do is respect what they've done."
He's right. But don't hold your breath waiting for the critics to listen.
