Conceicao urges Portugal to match Ronaldo's hunger as World Cup campaign falters after DR Congo draw

Francisco Conceicao has urged Portugal’s next generation to channel Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless work ethic after the national side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their World Cup opener, with a must-improve fixture against Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday now looming large.

The Juventus winger, 23, who was not yet born when Ronaldo made his senior debut for Sporting Lisbon in August 2002, pointed to his 41-year-old teammate as the standard every Portugal player must strive to exceed.

“He’s an example, through his career, through the hunger he demonstrates every day, super motivated to train as if it were his last,” Conceicao said, as quoted by Portuguese outlet Record. “If he’s achieved so much and continues with such hunger, ours has to be even greater. He’s another one who’s here to help; we need everyone for the team to function.”

The draw with Congo reignited debate over Ronaldo’s place in Roberto Martinez’s starting line-up, but Conceicao was keen to stress that the squad has kept its composure despite the external noise. “If things don’t go well, we’re the first to feel it. No one is worse off; we feel it first hand,” he said. “The pressure is there, we’re used to it. We all play for big clubs. We know there will be more pressure and it’s up to us to respond in the next game.”

Conceicao also carries a personal stake in the tournament’s family history. His father, Sergio Conceicao — the former AC Milan head coach — represented Portugal at the 2002 World Cup, a campaign that ended in the group stage. “I don’t think it went that well, they were eliminated in the group stage!” the younger Conceicao said with candour. “It’s always a source of pride to know that my father played in a World Cup and that I’m here now. I hope the story will be different. He said they went in with a lot of ambition and that the goal was to go as far as possible. That one mistake can ruin everything.”

Portugal will also be without Benfica defender Tomas Araujo for the Uzbekistan fixture after he trained in a limited capacity in Palm Beach on Monday, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, arrive having lost 3-1 to Colombia in their own World Cup debut. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro struck an upbeat tone in an Instagram post, praising his side’s “mentality and, especially, a very positive second-half performance.”