Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a decisive answer to Lionel Messi’s blistering start to the World Cup with a double against Uzbekistan, but the Portugal legend showed zero appetite for talking about his rival afterwards.
The focus has remained firmly on Messi throughout the World Cup thus far, with the 38-year-old netting all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament. Messi now boasts 18 World Cup goals across his glittering career, a record in the competition’s history.
Ronaldo drew a blank in his opening match, an underwhelming 1-1 stalemate with DR Congo, but responded emphatically with two goals against Uzbekistan. Ronaldo was thrilled as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory, but he showed his displeasure when quizzed about Messi following the match.
As Ronaldo addressed journalists in the mixed zone at Houston Stadium, one reporter tried to raise the subject of goals from Messi and Kylian Mbappe. “Yesterday, Lionel Messi scored 2 goals and Mbappe,” the reporter began, before being interrupted by Ronaldo, who said, “Next question.”
Ronaldo immediately pivoted to field another journalist’s enquiry instead. Nevertheless, Ronaldo did shed light on his mentality following a challenging opening encounter against DR Congo.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to convert all three shots on goal and faced mockery from supporters claiming he was past his best at 41 years old. Some even argued he was hindering Portugal by featuring in the starting XI, but everything shifted on Tuesday.
Ronaldo netted twice, stunned spectators by passing a free kick to Nuno Mendes, who found the net, before Rafael Leao also got on the scoresheet. While Messi has been creating history during this tournament, Ronaldo achieved his own milestone by becoming the first player to score across six separate World Cups.
“God helps those who work hard. I knew my teammates would help out too,” Ronaldo said after the game. “It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I’d retired from soccer.
View 2 ImagesCristiano Ronaldo refused a question(Image: Alex Pantling – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
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“But I hung in there, as I always do, because I believe in hard work more than anything else. It was tough, I have to admit, but we’re back.”
Ronaldo also maintained that Portugal has progressed since the opening stalemate, adding, “We’ve improved; that’s just how life is. We face setbacks during games and in life, but the main goal is always to improve.
“And that’s what we did. It was a very tough and difficult week, with public opinion being very harsh on all the players, especially on me and the coach. But I don’t mind. I’ve been in this profession for 23 years now, and whenever things go well, Cristiano is doing great, but when they go badly, Cristiano is retired, he’s too old. It will always be like that.
“But we responded well today. That’s what we wanted. We played with a high line, and when we do that, it’s hard to stop Portugal.”
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Portugal now sit on four points going into their final group fixture against Colombia.
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