Ronaldo, Neymar seek place in history
Two of DOHA, QATAR — the best players in soccer start World Cup competition today, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar both seek history in Qatar.
Ronaldo is attempting to become the first male soccer player to score in five different World Cups when he leads Portugal against Ghana. Marta of Brazil has scored in five Women’s World Cups.
Neymar, meanwhile, is the leader of a Brazil team seeking a record-extending sixth World Cup title but first in 20 years. Brazil plays Serbia in its first match.
All attention is on Ronaldo, though, following his messy but mutual split this week with Manchester United.
The 37-year-old forward, likely playing in his final World Cup, gave an explosive interview only days before traveling to Qatar that criticized manager Erik ten Hag and United’s owners, triggering the split. And on Wednesday, Ronaldo was banned for two Premier League matches and fined 50,000 pounds ($60,000) for hitting a phone out of a fan’s hand at Everton last season.
The ban will follow Ronaldo to whatever new club he joins in any country but does not apply to the World Cup.
Ghana captain Andre Ayew cautioned against assuming Ronaldo’s headlines will be a distraction for Portugal.
“It is not our problem what is happening within the Portuguese team,” Ayew said Wednesday. “They are all great professionals playing at top teams, and they will be ready for the World Cup, whatever else is happening.
Ghana is the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup at No. 61 and is a massive underdog in a group that also includes Uruguay and South Korea.
Ronaldo said before his Manchester United depar- ture that the drama has noth- ing to do with the World Cup. Teammate Bruno Fernandes agreed.
“Our focus is 100% on the national team and we are 100% focused on what we have to do,” Fernandes said.
Neymar, meanwhile, has been deliberately quiet since arriving in Qatar with his only public statement a social media post with a sixth star photoshopped onto his shorts around Brazil’s logo — a clear indicator his only goal is another World Cup title for his country.
“This is our dream,” Brazil forward Richarlison said. “Neymar posted that photo because it’s his dream, too. He wants to win that and we know how willing he is to win that. He can do whatever he wants. It’s his dream. If Neymar is happy here, we will be happy. That’s the most important thing.”