Cristiano Ronaldo still has what it takes to play at the top level of club football, says Bernardo Silva, who insisted it was none of his business what his Portugal team-mate decided for his future.
Ronaldo scored Portugal's opener in a 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday - a goal that sparked the match at Stadium 974 into life, as well as making the 37-year-old the first player to score at five different World Cups.
Having left Manchester United by mutual agreement earlier this week, Ronaldo was the focus of the Group H clash and stepped up to lash home a penalty he won midway through the second half.
Andre Ayew swiftly equalised for Ghana but quickfire goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao settled the contest, despite Osman Bukari's header setting up a grandstand finish.
Asked if Ronaldo would move to another leading club, Manchester City playmaker Silva told reporters: "That's his decision, that's the decision of the club that needs to offer him a contract, because now he's a free agent. That's his business, not mine."
On whether Ronaldo could still cut his teeth at the highest level, Silva said: "Yeah I think so, I think so.
"It depends on what he wants. I don't know what he wants with his life. He has to speak to his family and decide what he wants for his life.
"I support his decision in terms of it's his decision. He's my team-mate with Portugal. If he feels happy, we're happy.
"He worked really well. We knew it before – we know we can still count on him, not just with the goal but he worked very hard for the team."
On Wednesday, Ronaldo's former United team-mate Bruno Fernandes said it was a "dream come true" to have played with the forward at club level, as well as for Portugal.
Fernandes quipped after the Ghana game that Ronaldo thrives on proving his doubters wrong.
"I think Cristiano likes to work under that criticism from everyone, so I pray for all of you to keep doing that, so it gets the best of him when you guys do that," Fernandes told reporters.
"I said already, he is one of the players I looked up to when I was a kid. It was a dream come true in the national team, I did it at a club also – that's something amazing.
"I still share the space with him in the national team and the main thing for me is that Portugal in this World Cup does the best we can.
"If we do that, Cristiano will be happy, I will be happy, everyone will be happy."
Ghana coach Otto Addo fumed at the decision to award Portugal a penalty in their thrilling win over the Black Stars on Thursday, declaring: "I don't know if the VAR wasn't paying attention".
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to net at five editions of the World Cup when he opened the scoring from the spot at Stadium 974, as Portugal eventually ran out 3-2 winners.
Ghana, however, were incensed by referee Ismail Elfath's decision to award the spot-kick, believing Mohammed Salisu won the ball with his challenge on the five-time Ballon d'Or-winner.
Addo hit out at Elfath's performance and revealed he was denied the chance to speak to him after Ghana's defeat.
Asked whether Ronaldo benefitted from a favourable decision, Addo said: "I think you'd have to ask the referee. I have no proof of that, but we were playing the ball, then there was a contact.
"I don't know what they were doing, I don't know whether the VAR wasn't paying attention.
"If I look at that moment, it's incredible. If you look at a replay, we played the ball. It was actually a foul against us.
"The game was hectic, we made a few mistakes to allow the second and third goals, opening the lines for them to pass it. It was a little bit unlucky.
"With a bit of luck, we could have got one point. The referee was not in our favour. In my view, our yellow cards were deserved, but for me, holding jerseys is also a yellow card. I don't know what was wrong, but he was really not in our favour.
"I asked some people from FIFA if I could talk briefly to the referee in a calm and quiet way, but they said he is in a meeting and it's not possible.
"I think they have match analysis, so it's the truth, but surely you can have some minutes for the coach."
Ghana full-back Tariq Lamptey was also asked about the decision, responding: "I think you saw it. You can give your opinion."
The African nation have now lost their opening match on three of their four participations at the World Cup (W1), but Lamptey believes there were plenty of positives to take.
"Obviously, I would have liked to get the win," Lamptey said. "They have a lot of world-class players in their team, but we felt like we could have got the result we deserved, and we were so close to getting that.
"We know we played well, but it's a difficult one as we know we could have got something. We'll put that energy into our next game and give it our best."
Cristiano Ronaldo stated his club future "does not matter" after a "beautiful moment" which saw him set a World Cup record.
The 37-year-old tucked home from the penalty spot in the second half against Ghana to open the scoring for Portugal in a 3-2 victory, becoming the first player to score in five different World Cup tournaments.
Ronaldo's goal comes on the back of a week when he has dominated the headlines, conducting an interview with Piers Morgan that sent shockwaves across the world of football due to his immense criticism of Manchester United, with it then announced on Tuesday that a mutual termination of his contract was agreed.
That puts Ronaldo in the market as he stars in the World Cup but, while questions regarding his future will continue to orientate, he remains firmly focused on performing for his nation.
"It was a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup. We won, we started with a good foot, it's a very important win," he told a post-match press conference.
"We know that in these competitions the first match is crucial, but also the record to be the first player to score in five World Cups, it's something that makes me very proud and I'm very happy that the team got a result in a tough game.
"The most important step was that we won, it was a week that finished a chapter, it's closed, and now we want to start off with a good foot.
"We won, I could help my team and all the rest does not matter."
Ronaldo earned the praise of head coach Fernando Santos, who believes the forward will remain a topic of conversation among football fans for many decades ahead.
"He's one of the best players in the world, there's no doubt about that, one of the best players ever," he said.
"Cristiano is a phenomenon, a legend, like many others who have come and gone in football. In 50 years time, we will continue to talk about him."
Portugal can secure their spot in the round of 16 with victory against Uruguay on Monday, with their group stage concluding against South Korea four days later.
Harry Kane may be England's key attacker, but the threat of him potentially missing their second World Cup match against the United States was perhaps not as concerning as it once might have been.
Three Lions captain Kane hobbled out of a dominant 6-2 win over Iran in the team's Group B opener.
Kane had supplied two assists in that victory, but he did not get on the scoresheet and England were not lacking for options in front of goal.
Five different players found the net; only in 2018, when Kane won the Golden Boot and was one of six England scorers, have they had more across an entire World Cup.
Nine players were involved in goals, the most for any team in a finals match since Yugoslavia versus Zaire in 1974.
Kane is expected to be fit to play against the USA, yet Callum Wilson had an impact from the bench in the Iran game and scored his only international goal to date against England's next opponents in November 2018.
Jordan Pickford was certainly unconcerned as he cited Wilson as an example when backing his team-mates to step up.
"I think everyone will take their chance," he said. "When Harry came off after about 70 minutes, Callum came on and played really well.
"[Wilson] got the assist for Jack [Grealish], was very unselfish and gave Jack his goal.
"I think everyone is training really hard, everyone is here for a reason – to play football."
The United States were not as ruthless, however, as they drew 1-1 with Wales.
Pickford's opposite number Matt Turner said: "I think one of the main things for us is we missed some opportunities in transition against Wales in the second half.
"We had chances where we just weren't particularly clean in the final third. Maybe a pass was a little off or the timing was wrong and it took away the small windows that you have in the World Cup, where the margins are so thin to score goals.
"So, I think we know that we're going to have to be better in transition against England if we want to score goals."
England have won eight of their 11 games against the United States, yet none of those victories have come in their two World Cup meetings. The USA won 1-0 in 1950 and drew 1-1 in 2010.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
England – Bukayo Saka
Saka was brilliant in netting twice against Iran, adding to Jude Bellingham's opener to make this the first example of two players aged 21 or younger scoring in the same World Cup game for England.
Should either Saka or Bellingham net again, they would become the youngest England player to score in consecutive matches at the finals. Saka certainly looked capable of adding to his tally.
United States – Timothy Weah
George Weah never played at a World Cup, but his son Timothy now has, and he scored against Wales. That was his second goal in four internationals, as many as in his first 22 United States outings.
Weah Jr will be bidding to become only the third USA player to score in the first two matches of a World Cup campaign – also Bert Patenaude in 1930 and Clint Dempsey in 2014.
PREDICTION
With or without Kane, Stats Perform's supercomputer expects England to fare just fine. They are given a 60.1 per cent chance of making it two wins from two in Group B.
The United States have a history of upsetting the Three Lions, though, even if the model rates them as an outside 18.8 per cent shot. A repeat of 2010's draw is rated at 21.1 per cent.
Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to start Belgium's second World Cup fixture against Morocco despite making his return to team training, according to head coach Roberto Martinez.
Lukaku has only made five appearances for Inter during an injury-hit season, and he was absent as Belgium began their Group F campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday.
While Martinez hopes Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer will return against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, the Nerazzurri striker may have to settle for a place on the bench.
"Today, he trained with the group, now we'll see how his body will react," the head coach said. "I don't think he's ready to go from the start against Morocco, but we'll find that out over the next two days.
"But he seems to be doing well, and I'm happy to see him again at group training."
Should Belgium beat Walid Regragui's side next time out, they will become the first team in World Cup history to win nine consecutive group games at the tournament.
Belgium are also unbeaten in their four previous World Cup meetings with African teams (won three, drawn one), beating Tunisia 5-2 in their last such contest in 2018.
Jose Mourinho says Japan's shock World Cup win over Germany was "not a crazy surprise," criticising European football's "big focus on individuals and egos."
The Samurai Blue produced an inspired comeback from 1-0 down as second-half goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano stunned Hansi Flick's side at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The four-time champions, who led through Ilkay Gundogan's penalty, lost a World Cup match after opening the scoring for the first time since a 2-1 defeat by Bulgaria in the 1994 quarter-finals.
Mourinho, who coached South Korea's Son Heung-min at Tottenham, was not overly shocked by the result, saluting the collective mentality demonstrated by Asian footballers.
"Of course, it's a fantastic achievement but, to be honest, it was not a crazy surprise," the Roma head coach said. "Japan is a good team, has good players, [and] is getting an accumulation of experience at these events.
"The majority of the players, they play in Europe where they develop faster and understand better what is the high level.
"I think the mentality of the players and the team can also make a difference. At this moment, in European football, there is a big focus on individuals and egos.
"When I look to your profile as people, your profile as a country - I never coached Japanese players, but I coached Asian players.
"In my case, I was lucky because I coached the best Asian player, and I understand that the mentality is really special. The team is the most important thing. People play for the team, they don't play for themselves."
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups, but Portugal required a couple of late goals to rescue a nervy 3-2 win against Ghana on Thursday.
Just two days after having his Manchester United contract terminated by mutual consent, free agent Ronaldo converted a penalty to break down a stubborn Ghana side in their Group H opener.
Ghana were furious with the awarding of the 65th-minute spot-kick for Mohammed Salisu's challenge on Ronaldo, but they hit back through Andre Ayew in the 73rd minute.
However, Joao Felix fired Portugal back in front and substitute Rafael Leao added a third, which proved important when Osman Bukari scored a late consolation for Ghana, who missed a glorious chance to snatch a point through Inaki Williams.
Ronaldo was denied by Lawrence Ati-Zigi after a heavy first touch and headed wide from the best of Portugal's limited first-half chances, before having a goal ruled out for a foul.
Alidu Seidu was lucky to only be shown a yellow early in the second half after locking heads with Joao Felix, but Ghana were less fortunate when a penalty was given to Portugal
Salisu was penalised for his challenge on Ronaldo, despite appearing to touch the ball before the player, and the superstar forward made no mistake from the spot.
That sparked some life into Ghana and Ayew steered home a leveller after Mohammed Kudus pulled the ball back into his path, but Portugal's own response was equally as swift.
Joao Felix raced onto Bruno Fernandes' throughball and dinked over Ati-Zigi, before Leao – on the field for just 45 seconds – curled in a delightful third for Fernando Santos' side.
Bukari, himself introduced from the bench, headed in from a Baba Rahman cross to set up a tense finish and Williams almost snuck an equaliser when he took the ball off the feet of an oblivious Costa before slipping at the crucial moment.
Gareth Southgate does not feel any pressure for England to produce a political statement akin to Germany's team photo at this World Cup.
England, like Germany, were planning to support the OneLove campaign – which promotes "inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind" – by having their captain wear an armband bearing its logo.
When FIFA threatened sporting sanctions – expected to be a yellow card for the captains – the teams involved backed out.
Germany still produced a demonstration, however, as their players covered their mouths for their team photo ahead of the defeat to Japan, suggesting FIFA was "denying us a voice".
Southgate was asked on Thursday if England would have a unique protest of their own, but he replied: "No, I don't think we should feel any pressure [to do so].
"I think we've spoken on these particular topics for over a year and we've supported all manner of good causes, whether that's individuals in our team or as a collective. I think there's a risk that everybody tries to escalate...
"Are we to try to produce a better video than Australia did? That would be impossible. They did it brilliantly. Do we have to come up with a better gesture than Germany did?
"We've got to be comfortable with we stand for. That's not to say we won't do anything moving forward, if the timing's right, but if we're rushing to be seen to be doing something then we could make an error which doesn't land well.
"At this moment in time, for the players and myself especially, we've got to be focusing on the games.
"Of course, the FA takes the responsibility seriously; we're never going to duck any questions. The fact we're still talking about these matters keeps them in the spotlight and helps to raise awareness.
"We're definitely hugely supportive of our LGBTQ fanbase, and I know some of them feel a little bit disappointed with the armband not being worn.
"We will be criticised for that, but sometimes we've just got to accept the criticism and move on with it. That's as I see it.
"If we're confident about ourselves and where we stand, we shouldn't worry about needing to do something to be seen to be doing it."
Southgate was also asked if the Football Association should continue to support FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although he did not feel that conversation was within his remit.
"In my opinion, the coach of the team should coach the team, and the executives of the federation should comment on a higher level," he said.
"I noticed Kasper [Schmeichel, Denmark's goalkeeper] after the game was saying how difficult this has been for him. I've got to know him well, and I can emphasise.
"We're all spending so much time talking about non-football matters that it's hard to have the bandwidth to deal with preparing the team.
"Preparing the team at any time is difficult, and preparing them at a major tournament is even more complicated. It's not for me.
"If I want to become a football politician later in life, I'll become a football politician. For now, I've got enough of a job to do to coach the team."
Harry Maguire has kept his focus on England at the World Cup while Manchester United have been making headlines back home.
Despite early upsets and drama at Qatar 2022, United have dominated the news agenda, first with the release of Cristiano Ronaldo and then with the announcement of the Glazer family exploring the possibility of selling the club.
Even by United's standards, it has been a manic week.
But Maguire, who is set to earn his 50th England cap against the United States on Friday, has not allowed himself to worry about developments at Old Trafford.
"To be honest, I think it's been really easy," Maguire said. "I'm here with England, I'm playing at a World Cup, the greatest tournament in the world, so for me to keep the distractions away has been easy.
"I'm fully focused on winning each game I play for my country. There's been a lot of talk going off around the club at the moment, but I'm fully focused on England."
Gareth Southgate was also asked how he could shield his players from such distractions, with Maguire one of three United players in his squad.
"We've talked from time to time about the importance of ignoring those things from outside," Southgate said.
"We actually had the future King [Prince William] come in and talk to us about that. I thought that was a point we couldn't have paid him better to say.
"We've got to just ignore the noise. At tournaments, I think there's always a frenzy of the need for information, the need for stories.
"I've lived through a lot of tournaments now, so I understand the need to stay calm through all of that, focus on the games, focus on the training, on the things you can affect. Keeping your energy for those things is key."
Ronaldo is now a former team-mate for United captain Maguire, having caused the Red Devils no shortage of headaches since revealing his desire to leave at the start of the season.
But Maguire did note the constant criticism one of the game's all-time greats faced during their time together, helping him deal with scrutiny of his own career.
"As a footballer, nobody likes being criticised, but I think it's part and parcel of the game," Maguire added.
"I've played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years, and he's one of the greatest players to ever kick a football, and he gets criticised day in and day out. So, if it's going to happen to him...
"In the position I'm in at Manchester United, I think it's part and parcel of the game – especially the position I'm in playing for Manchester United as captain of Manchester United."
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first ever player to score in five different World Cups after finding the net for Portugal against Ghana on Thursday.
The 37-year-old, who is currently without a club after mutually parting ways with Manchester United on Tuesday, converted a second-half penalty to give Portugal the lead.
That was Ronaldo's eighth World Cup goal, each of those coming in the group stage – the most of any player yet to score in the knockout stages.
Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose have all netted at four World Cups, but Ronaldo is now out in front in that regard after scoring at a fifth finals.
Here, Stats Perform looks at each of Ronaldo's previous seven goals on the biggest stage of them all, three of which came in one game.
Portugal 2-0 Iran (Frankfurt, 2006)
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot for the first of his World Cup goals against Iran in 2006, making him Portugal's youngest ever scorer in the competition at 21 years and 132 days, a record that stands to this day. Despite Portugal finishing third that year, a teenage Ronaldo did not add to his goals tally.
Portugal 7-0 North Korea (Cape Town, 2010)
The Selecao put seven goals past North Korea, with Ronaldo scoring the sixth of those to end a two-year wait for an international goal. Portugal failed to find the net in any of their other three matches in South Africa and were eliminated by Spain in the last 16.
Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Brasilia, 2014)
Ronaldo scored a late winner in Portugal's final group match against Ghana – a simple finish following some poor defending – but it was not enough to prevent his side from exiting Brazil 2014 in the first round behind the United States and tournament winners Germany.
Portugal 3-3 Spain (Sochi, 2018)
Entering the tournament as the world's best player, Ronaldo lived up to his billing by scoring a hat-trick in what will go down as one of the all-time great individual World Cup performances. After opening the scoring from the penalty spot, the superstar forward beat David de Gea with a shot from outside the box and then scored a late free-kick to rescue a point in a topsy-turvy thriller.
Portugal 1-0 Morocco (Moscow, 2018)
Ronaldo was not finished there, either, as he made it four goals for the tournament with an unstoppable header inside four minutes against Morocco, with that proving to be the winner. However, his goalscoring touch eluded him in the knockout rounds as he fired a blank in the 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16.
FIFA has said Welsh supporters will be permitted to display rainbow-coloured hats and flags at Friday's World Cup game against Iran, according to the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
Wales' LGBTQ+ supporters group, known as the Rainbow Wall, is being represented at the tournament in Qatar, but several fans were reportedly told to remove and discard their distinctive rainbow-coloured hats ahead of Monday's 1-1 draw with the United States.
Former Wales footballer Laura McAllister was among those told to remove her hat by what she described as "heavy-handed" security guards at the team's first World Cup game since 1958.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the FAW pledged to discuss the issue with FIFA, which has been criticised for organising the World Cup in a country which criminalises same-sex relationships.
The FAW now says it has received assurances a repeat will not occur when Rob Page's team face Iran at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
An FAW statement read: "In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for Cymru's match against Iran on Friday.
"All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules and regulations."
Wales were among several European teams to back down from wearing the OneLove armband – intended to promote an anti-discriminatory message – ahead of their opening World Cup fixtures.
FIFA's reported threat to apply major sporting sanctions to teams wearing the armband has provoked a furious response from European football associations, with the president of the Danish Football Union (DBU) suggesting a blanket withdrawal from the organisation on Wednesday.
Dani Alves believes Kylian Mbappe "has still not understood" the value of playing with "geniuses" Lionel Messi and Neymar in Paris Saint-Germain's attack.
Mbappe is the leading marksman in Ligue 1 this season with 12 goals – one more than Brazil international Neymar – while he is just 11 away from breaking Edinson Cavani's club record tally of 200.
However, the France international has only registered two assists in the French top flight this term, with Messi (10) and Neymar (nine) recording 19 between them.
Alves spent two years playing alongside Mbappe and Neymar in Paris, having also previously won multiple honours alongside the latter and Messi at Barcelona.
The Brazil full-back who, at 39, was handed a chance to become his nation's oldest World Cup player, feels the 23-year-old Mbappe's goalscoring exploits would be even greater should be pass to his team-mates more often.
"Neymar and Messi are unique, they see and do things that no one else sees or can do," Alves told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "You have to be smart to take advantage of their potential, they are the two geniuses of football.
"I think I can touch the ball well, but when I was playing with Leo, I was giving him the ball. And if I play with Ney, I give him the ball. If Mbappe gave the ball to those two, he would score 150 goals [in a season].
"A great player always has to know and understand who he is playing with. Your team-mates enrich your qualities.
"Mbappe is a phenomenon who has still not understood that those who play in attack with him are more phenomenal than him."
South Korea coach Paulo Bento was pleased with his side’s performance in their goalless draw with Uruguay and urged supporters not to focus too much on the fitness of star striker Son Heung-min.
Tottenham forward Son’s availability was in doubt until just before kick-off due to a fractured eye socket sustained earlier this month but – aided by a facemask – he played the full game, producing occasional flashes in a largely subdued display.
His ineffectiveness was replicated by the other attacking stars on show – Uruguay’s strikeforce of Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez also failing to make any meaningful impact in a drab encounter in World Cup Group H.
Uruguay came closest to finding a winner with both Diego Godin and Federico Valverde hitting the woodwork, the latter in the closing minutes.
Of Son, Bento said: "Son is a player that up until his injury had continuous rhythm. And then, in one of the last games in the Champions League, he had a serious injury and was inactive for a long period of time. He was only reintegrated in the last few days.
"After the injury, it’s natural that it will take him some time to re-adapt.
"But overall, I thought our team had a good performance and we focus too much on one player. We, as coaches, value all the elements of the team."
Bento was particularly pleased that his side were able to match Uruguay’s levels of aggression, adding: "That was definitely one of the positives. We knew our opponent played intense football and we needed to up our game and we managed to do that in the first half, in particular.
"Of course, our performance diminished in the second half, but we tried to maintain that level of aggression."
Uruguay boss Diego Alonso fended off criticism of his team’s cautious approach, pointing out his starting XI was full of attacking intent.
"We had three forwards on the pitch, three midfielders that score goals and full-backs that like to get forward," he said.
"In the first 20 minutes, we could not pressure South Korea and we had to adjust. After that, the second half was different and we were better. I liked a lot of things the players did."
Valverde was named man of the match for a typically all-action display but felt Uruguay left it too late to find their rhythm.
The Real Madrid midfielder said: "In the first half, South Korea moved the ball very well and we struggled to put any pressure on them. In the second half, we played very well although there were too many balls passed backwards by the midfielders, including me, when we should’ve brought it forward.
"Towards the end, we played in a courageous way and played our football, creating chances. You have to take your chances but, unfortunately, we didn’t score."
Mehdi Taremi believes Iran's players struggled to focus on football during Monday's 6-2 defeat to England amid a crackdown on protests in their home country.
Taremi became the first Iran player to score a World Cup double at the Khalifa International Stadium last time out, but his efforts were not enough to deny England their biggest win in a World Cup or European Championships opener.
The game was played out in a highly charged atmosphere, with Iran's players refusing to sing their national anthem in an apparent display of solidarity with anti-government protesters in the country.
Human rights groups say more than 400 people have lost their lives amid the repression of protests in Iran, which began following the September death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested for her refusal to wear the mandatory hijab.
Ahead of two crucial Group B fixtures against Wales and the United States, Taremi backed Iran to bring pride to their country with improved displays.
"In my opinion, the first game was not football at all. Because of so many issues that existed, football was the only one not in question," Taremi said at Thursday's pre-match press conference.
"I think our game starts now. We have two games and we have to play them to gain six points, so that we can make our people happy.
"That's why we are here. That's why all the players are here. That's what we want to do, to make the hearts of our people happy."
Head coach Carlos Queiroz also hinted Iran were affected by off-pitch issues last time out, as he asked media to let his squad focus on sporting matters.
"To make them [Iran's players] the only people that have to give you answers about human problems in the world, I don't think it's fair," Queiroz said.
"In my opinion, it's time to ask other countries and players what they think of other issues, and there are some big issues in the world.
"I feel my players are back to their roots, back to football. We had a great training session today with a lot of fun and skill.
"Let them play the game, play for their people, like England or the United States play for their people."
Wales captain Gareth Bale praised Iran's squad for their apparent display of support for those fighting for greater recognition of women's rights in their homeland.
"It must be difficult, the situation they find themselves in," Bale said. "I guess they know as footballers they have a big platform to create awareness, and they obviously have their beliefs.
"It's difficult to comment on, because I don't know a lot about it – I'm not a politician, I'm here to play football.
"They showed their togetherness, their strength as a national team, and I guess they're only trying to do it to make life better for everybody."
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