"If Ronaldo had converted the two chances he had, today he would be God"

Despite a World Cup start that fell short of expectations, Ricardo Costa, a former Portuguese international, is calling for calm and defending Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho, two undeniable figures in national football. The ex-defender and current coach, who featured in three World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014), considers the criticism leveled at both to be unwarranted.

Ricardo Costa acknowledges the national team's initial disappointment. "We thought we would win, score goals, and celebrate the three points," he admitted in an interview with Marca. However, he emphasizes there's no cause for alarm: "There's still a lot of the World Cup left. The first game is always tricky. There are adaptations, changes in rhythm, and circumstances that favor more modest teams."

The former player downplayed the stumble, drawing a parallel with the Spanish national team's opener and, with a laugh, expressed a wish: "May we start strangely and finish well. Hopefully, Portugal and Spain will play in the final."

In defense of Cristiano Ronaldo, who faced criticism after the first match, Ricardo Costa was unequivocal. "People speak too easily. If Cristiano had converted the two chances he had, today he would be God," he stated, deeming the judgment on the captain excessive and unfair.

For the former international, the forward's status deserves more respect. "We are talking about one of the best players in history. He's entitled to have an off day like anyone else. We need to respect what he has done for football and for Portugal," he argued, further reinforcing his importance in the dressing room: "Everyone listens to Cristiano. He's a leader, someone who motivates his teammates and continues to help the national team immensely. Outside, there's a lot of talk about him, but inside, he has everyone's absolute respect."

Criticism of José Mourinho was also addressed, with Ricardo Costa seeing similarities to Ronaldo's situation. "It's very similar to what happens with Cristiano. When someone has been at the elite level for so many years, criticism comes very quickly," he observed. For the former defender, questioning the coach is a mistake: "Criticizing Mourinho is like criticizing the best of the best. We are talking about someone who knows an immense amount about football."

Ricardo Costa also highlighted the evolution of the Portuguese national team over the last two decades, which has gone from an irregular presence to a constant in major competitions. "Now we have players in the best teams in the world. These are footballers with immense quality and experience. Portugal is more prepared than ever to fight for a semi-final or a final," he explained, praising the new generation led by names like Vitinha.