How do you solve a problem like Ronaldo?

Neves is no stranger to facing the media in difficult circumstances.

In March 2024, Benfica had just been humiliated 5-0 by rivals Porto. Despite having lost his mother only a few days before, it fell to the then 19-year-old, in his first senior season as a regular starter, to explain the result at the final whistle.

When compared with that night at the Dragao stadium, last week's 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Portugal's World Cup opener felt understandably insignificant, as frustrating as it was.

And yet Neves' words in that post-match interview threw the country into crisis before the Uzbekistan game on Tuesday (18:00 BST).

The Paris St-Germain midfielder had been asked about Ronaldo's role in the Portugal squad.

"We know what Ronaldo has done for our national team, but at this moment I feel that for him, and for everyone, he's one of us. He's one more player trying to help, he's no different to the others. He's here to contribute like we all will," Neves said.

What followed was a backlash that few could have anticipated.

Ronaldo fans flooded the social media accounts of Neves, Bruno Fernandes and others, accusing them of not respecting the Portugal captain.

Even by Ronaldo's standards as a global superstar, the reaction felt unprecedented.

"It highlights the risk of a civil war that could emerge within the national team," said Vitor Pinto of the Record newspaper.

It could have all been irrelevant, however, had members of Ronaldo's inner circle not taken part in it too.

His partner, Georgina Rodriguez, reacted to a fake quote attributed to Neves' girlfriend, Madalena Aragao, before later deleting her comment, while his sisters Katia and Elma Aveiro shared posts suggesting there had been an attempt to freeze him out of the team.

On CMTV - Portugal's most-watched TV channel, in which Ronaldo is a shareholder - pundit and lawyer Luis Miguel Henrique, who has represented the striker in business matters, cited a fake quote attributed to Zinedine Zidane in defence of him.

Such was the turmoil that it inevitably found its way into the national team's camp in Palm Beach.

"Are Portugal polarised between those who are with Cristiano and those who are not?" was a question raised repeatedly in the side's news conferences.

"This shouldn't even be a topic of discussion," replied Ruben Dias in a tense interview.

Diogo Dalot said the following day: "We know there are a lot of people who don't want Portugal to win." After refusing to name them, he added: "If I had to do that, we'd never leave here. It's not my role."

Portugal are fully aware that only a convincing win against Uzbekistan can offer them some peace - preferably with Ronaldo scoring, of course.