World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo's Sister Slams Portugal Players After DR Congo Draw

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Cristiano Ronaldo's sisters have spoken out on social media after Portugal drew their opening match of the 2026 World Cup against DR Congo.

Portugal were far from their best as they drew 1-1 with DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon. Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead only for Yoane Wissa to equalise just before half-time.

Ronaldo, who wore a special patch on his sleeve to mark a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, played the full match but was far from his best as he failed to trouble DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Elma Aveiro, Ronaldo's sister, took to social media to state that Portugal were 'robbed'. She wrote:

“I believe in bad beginnings, good finishes. You [players] are the ones who are there. Talking is easy. Especially being robbed like this, it's not easy."

Kátia Aveiro, meanwhile, took aim at Portugal's players. She stated:

"They magically forgot how to pass the ball, how to win the ball, how to counter-attack. The game rolled from midfield backwards. This World Cup is strange. Strange. But let's go. Wrong starts, accurate finishes. Until the end."

She even 'liked' a post which slammed Bruno Fernandes. The post read:

“Bruno Fernandes is a different player when he wears the national team jersey. At the moment Portugal needs a leader the most, he disappears from the game and leaves the responsibility to others.

"Great talent, a lot of media attention, but where is the decisiveness in the big moments? The fans expect an exceptional player who steps up when the pressure mounts, not someone who vanishes when the game gets intense."

Many football fans couldn't understand why Martinez did not take Ronaldo off against DR Congo despite being far from his best. Martinez addressed those critics after the match.

He said, per the Mirror: "We were finding it difficult because they were playing in a back six. And in a situation like that, you can use his qualities.

"It makes no sense to get a player like Cristiano out of the game where you need goals. The straight line is not the quickest way.

"The way he attracts defenders and uses space is valuable. When you need goals, you need a player like Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch."

Ronaldo wrote on social media after the game: "This was not the start we wanted but this is far from being over. Heads held high and focus on the next game."

Ronaldo and Portugal return to action on Wednesday when they face Uzbekistan. Fabio Cannavaro's side were beaten 3-1 by Colombia in their opening fixture.

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