Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s stardom and the team’s UEFA Euro 2016 win, Portugal has been a favorite of sorts to win the FIFA World Cup. However, they have yet to prove those anticipations right. A semi-final appearance in 2006 was Portugal’s deepest run in the tournament. In 2022, Portugal had started strongly, winning most of their group matches. The Round of 16 saw Portugal’s best as they demolished Switzerland 6-1. However, Morocco faced Portugal in the Quarter Finals, cutting short Ronaldo and co’s impressive run. CR7’s Al Nassr and Portugal teammate Otavio has now sadly recalled the World Cup exit and the subsequent ‘criticism‘.

Born and raised in Brazil, Otavio became a Portuguese citizen only in 2021. The next year, he represented Portugal at the FIFA World Cup. While he is still grateful for the opportunity, the memories of the tournament remain unpleasant for Otavio.

Otavio is still not over the 2022 World Cup nightmare

Otavio is now turning heads with his recent candid revelations about Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese team. In one such admission, the 28-year-old revisited an otherwise forgettable 2022 World Cup. “We qualified for the World Cup, where I also had the opportunity, and we played well, and it was normal for there to be some criticism or that from the fans, and no one was happy,” said Otavio. As the midfielder pointed out, the vitriol after elimination was imminent. For, nobody expected Morocco to have the better of Portugal.

🗣️ اوتافيو:

لقد تأهلنا لكأس العالم حيث أتيحت لي الفرصة ايضاً ولعبنا بشكل جيد وكان من الطبيعي أن يكون هناك بعض الانتقادات أو تلك من الجماهير و لا أحد سعيد" 🇵🇹

— موسى (@MousaQi) December 27, 2023

Despite having to play with 10 men, Morocco showed resilience, leaving CR7 in tears. Morocco then played their first-ever World Cup semi-final losing 2-0 to France. Speaking of the World Cup vitriol, Ronaldo in particular, and Portugal came under severe scrutiny before facing Morocco. Then, CR7 hit back at the critics, and Otavio had the former’s back.

Otavio spoke up for Cristian0 Ronaldo during a tough time

Cristiano Ronaldo was benched in Portugal’s stunning 6-1 win against Switzerland. Subsequently, word got out that the veteran was unhappy with the national team and could abruptly quit the World Cup campaign. Ronaldo was quick to dismiss this rumor. He said this attempt from ‘outside forces’ cannot break the Portugal team’s unity and aspirations to fight till the end.

Soon enough, Otavio agreed to CR7’s statement. The midfielder further added that Ronaldo was always happy to contribute to the team, even from the bench. Per Otavio, it was Ronaldo, the captain, who gave Portugal the strength to oust Switzerland. The Portugal captain further dismissed the rumors by lacing up against Morocco, only to end on the wrong side of history. Anyhow, Portugal, CR7, and Otavio are now on a run to set things straight as the 2024 Euro is on the doorstep. Let us know your prediction in the comments below.

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