Stuart Pearce claims Portugal players 'DON'T TRUST' Cristiano Ronaldo after the 39-year-old's frustrating night in front of goal in 2-1 Euros win over Czechia

Stuart Pearce has questioned whether Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team-mates trust him enough to give him the ball.

Ronaldo is playing at his sixth European Championship at the age of 39, and featured in Portugal's 2-1 win against Czechia in their opening group stage fixture.

Ronaldo couldn't get on the scoresheet during the Euro 2024 game despite having multiple chances during the first half. 

As a result, some fans have questioned whether Ronaldo still has what it takes to perform at the top level - especially after 18 months in the Saudi Pro League.

Pearce appeared to suggest that Ronaldo's team-mates were having the same concerns - stating they had decided not to give him the ball as a result. 

While commentating, he said: 'This might sound ridiculous, but [maybe] they don't trust Ronaldo enough to keep supplying him with the ball, that type of thing.'

He went on to add: 'There's been times in the games where he's shown to feet and they've not popped the ball into his feet.

'There was one where Bernardo Silva, it was one of these rogue passes [by Czechia] that got cut out, Bernardo Silva had it in the centre circle.

'Ronaldo peeled off in an inside-right position. I'm thinking, if this was ten years ago, you slide it in front of him and you know full well he's going to get there and score.

'He [Silva] denied the pass, and I found that quite strange.'

England legend Alan Shearer felt the complete opposite of Pearce and said that Portugal were too reliant on Ronaldo while speaking to the BBC.  

He said: 'Sometimes Portugal were in good positions, but they were just looking for Cristiano Ronaldo, and there was better options on.' 

Cesc Fabregas also weighed in on the Ronaldo debate, stating that the Portugal star's overall game is 'much, much better' than it has been in recent years.

Speaking on BBC Sport, Fabregas said: 'His overall play has been much, much better than we have seen over the last couple of years.

'At the end of the day, whatever you do, if the team plays well or the team does not play well, he always finds a chance.

'Either to create something for himself or for the team. In this moment I think he is feeling so much confidence and it's great.'

Ronaldo's appearance for Portugal say him become the first player to feature in as many as six different editions of the Euros (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024).