Conceição speaks out on Ronaldo and the backlash is instant

The Ronaldo debate is now impossible to ignore

Francisco Conceição has not backed down. On Sunday, he said your players feel no obligation to pass the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo (4). Hours later, his social media accounts were hacked by angry Ronaldo fans (7).

His full quote is blunt: "There's no one like Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of quality for scoring goals, but we don't have that obligation, that need to pass him the ball. I pass to whoever is unmarked, there's no time to think about whose face it is. We do everything on instinct, in milliseconds. Cristiano is here to help like any other national team player" (7).

Conceição also rejected the "supersub" label entirely. "My name is not supersub, my name is Francisco Conceição" (8).

Dalot defends his captain

Diogo Dalot has come out publicly for Ronaldo. "Everyone knows how well he can handle criticism," Dalot said (2). The full-back knows the scrutiny is not going away.

The Guardian: Ronaldo is holding Portugal back

Miguel Dantas at The Guardian went hard Sunday. His argument: Ronaldo risks ruining his legacy if he keeps starting and stymying the team (1). Henk ten Cate echoed that line from the Dutch side: "The moment you select him, you bring a problem into the house" (9).

Conceição's accounts breached

It did not take long. After Conceição's comments spread, Ronaldo supporters hacked his social media (7). This is the climate around your national team right now: a squad player speaks honestly about attacking instincts, and his accounts get taken over.

Finishing sharpened, Uzbekistan up next

Your team trained on finishing ahead of Monday's match against Uzbekistan (5). The session focused on converting chances. Uzbekistan may be without young full-back Karimov for this match after an injury (3).

Martim Ribeiro picks Sporting over Ajax

A small win on the club front. Young forward Martim Ribeiro has signed his first professional contract with Sporting CP, rejecting interest from Ajax. "A dream come true. With great pride I sign my first professional contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal," Ribeiro said (6).