World Cup: I’m Back –Record-Breaking Ronaldo Says After Netting 2 In Portugal Vs Uzbekistan 5-0
After scoring twice in his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan, Cristiano Ronaldo stared into a television camera lens and screamed a defiant message for those who said he was Portugal’s problem at the 2026 World Cup.
The 41-year-old could not hide his feelings, nor contain his joy as he celebrated the historic feat of becoming the first player to find the net in six editions of football’s biggest tournament.
It was also the perfect response to the critics who had written him off.
Ronaldo had been widely criticised after Portugal’s laboured 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening Group K tie, while other global stars including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, France forward Kylian Mbappe, Norway talisman Erling Haaland, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr and England captain Harry Kane all impressed in the first two weeks.
But Ronaldo made a spectacular, albeit late, entrance to the party.
He only needed six minutes to open the scoring with his record strike, sweeping in a superb half-volley from Joao Cancelo’s cross, and netted again before the break with a fine finish following Bruno Fernandes’ perfectly-weighted through-ball.
Only a goalline clearance from Abdukodir Khusanov denied Ronaldo a first-half hat-trick and, despite the efforts of his team-mates in the second half, their captain could not get the hat-trick he craved.
Ronaldo has scored at 11 different major tournaments – five more than any other European player in history, with Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann and Miroslav Klose, as well as Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri, on six
When asked about his “I’m back” statement after the match, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said it was “only so they [his critics] don’t forget – 23 years [doing so] like this”.
“I’m very happy but the most important thing is the work the team did and the confidence it gives us,” added Ronaldo.
“Obviously personal records are always nice but my goal is always to help the team achieve its objectives.
“We had to get through many obstacles during the week but the team worked very well, we improved a lot.
“It’s been a difficult week, a dark week without kicking a ball, but we dealt with it as we always do because we believe in our work. It was difficult, but we’re back.”
Portugal will face Colombia on Sunday 28 June (00:30 BST) in their final match to determine who goes through from Group K and tops the standings.
And boss Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo had been vital in lifting spirits and maintaining standards after the disappointing draw with DR Congo.
“It was a difficult week because we hadn’t achieved the result we were aiming for and we had a difficult situation with criticism, noise – which was actually unfair,” added Martinez.
“We were raging, we were sick, but we grew as a team, overcame emotions and have been able to give our very best. Cristiano Ronaldo was a perfect captain, very much focused and made use of his experience because it is not the first time he deals with this situation.
“Our captain is an icon, he is playing in his sixth World Cup. He is a role model that plays for the Portuguese national team, that works hard every day, that tries to improve every training session and with a great attitude on the pitch and also in the dressing room.”
BBC
