João Cancelo Defends Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Ahead of World Cup Clash

João Cancelo has moved to shield Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar from what he sees as empty noise around two of the modern game’s defining figures.

Ronaldo, now 41 and appearing at a record-equalling sixth World Cup, was heavily criticised after a flat display in Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Neymar, 34, has yet to play a minute for Brazil in this tournament because of a calf injury, prompting claims he should never have been named in the squad.

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 straight through the debate.

Their careers back him up. Ronaldo stands as the men’s all-time leading international scorer, with 143 goals for Portugal since his debut in 2003, and now shares rarefied air with Argentina captain Lionel Messi as one of only two players to appear at six World Cups. Neymar, despite his latest injury setback, is Brazil’s record marksman with 79 goals in 128 caps, a total he has not been able to add to 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: form, fitness and the churn of opinion may rise and fall, but their status remains untouched.

Hendry relishes Neymar battle

While Cancelo defends Neymar from afar, Jack Hendry is preparing to face him again – and sounds almost relaxed about it.

Scotland meet Brazil in a World Cup Group C clash in Miami on Wednesday, with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming that Neymar is fit after missing the first two matches with that calf problem. For many defenders, that news would darken the mood. Hendry simply shrugged.

Speaking at Scotland’s training base in Charlotte, North Carolina, the 31-year-old centre-back was asked about the possibility of marking Neymar again.

“Yeah, no problem,” he replied calmly. “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.”

Their paths have crossed before. As a Club Brugge player in the 2021-22 season, Hendry lined up in the Champions League against a Paris Saint-Germain front three of Neymar, Messi and Kylian Mbappé – a forward line that defined a certain era of attacking excess.

“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.”

He remembers the details hazily, but the lesson vividly.

“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. 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.”

Hendry and Neymar also briefly shared a stage in Saudi Arabia. The defender joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023, with Neymar arriving at Al-Hilal in the same league. That anticipated duel never truly materialised.

“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.

Neymar has since returned to Santos in Brazil, but for one night in Miami he is expected to carry the familiar yellow No. 10 again, with Scotland’s back line braced for the full repertoire.

Hendry is ready, or at least as ready as any defender can be when the world’s gaze falls on a player like Neymar.

“So I look forward to it,” he said, leaving one final variable hanging over the contest. “And we'll see if he plays.”