Portugal defender Joao Cancelo says Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil forward Neymar “have nothing to prove” to critics ahead of their World Cup 2026 matches. Speaking to reporters ahead of Portugal’s second group game against Uzbekistan, Cancelo responds to the criticism both players face at the tournament. The remarks come as the World Cup features strong performances from other high-profile attackers, with other outlets noting that Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are drawing attention while Ronaldo and Neymar have been less impactful so far. The reports frame Cancelo’s comments as a defense of the two forwards’ value despite their current form and public scrutiny. Ronaldo and Neymar are presented as experienced players under pressure to justify their reputations, but Cancelo argues that they do not need to prove anything further. The coverage links the statement to Portugal’s upcoming fixture and describes it as part of team-building and public messaging around the players’ roles in the tournament.