Indian international defender Sandesh Jhingan has weighed in on Portugal's slow start to the FIFA World Cup 2026, emphasising that Cristiano Ronaldo must remain the same during both criticism and adulation. 

Serving as a studio expert for Zee 5 during the tournament, Jhingan shared his insights following Portugal's frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo. The Portuguese captain, Ronaldo, found it difficult to break free from a disciplined defensive setup, finishing the match with only 25 touches, three off-target attempts, and a single duel won, marking one of the quietest World Cup performances of his career in terms of overall involvement.