Cristiano Ronaldo refused a question (Image: Alex Pantling – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered an emphatic response to Lionel Messi’s stunning World Cup form by netting twice against Uzbekistan, yet the Portugal icon showed absolutely no desire to discuss his great rival in the aftermath.
Attention has been squarely fixed on Messi throughout the tournament so far, with the 38-year-old finding the net for all five of Argentina’s goals. Messi now holds an extraordinary tally of 18 World Cup goals across his illustrious career, an all-time record in the competition’s history.
Ronaldo failed to get off the mark in his opening fixture, a disappointing 1-1 draw with DR Congo, but bounced back in commanding fashion with a brace against Uzbekistan. Ronaldo was delighted as Portugal romped to a 5-0 win, yet he made his irritation plain when pressed about Messi in the post-match interviews.
As Ronaldo spoke to journalists in the mixed zone at Houston Stadium, one reporter attempted to broach the subject of goals scored by Messi and Kylian Mbappe. “Yesterday, Lionel Messi scored 2 goals and Mbappe,” the reporter began, before being cut off by Ronaldo, who said, “Next question.”
Ronaldo swiftly moved on to address another journalist’s query instead. Despite this, Ronaldo did offer an insight into his mindset following a difficult opening clash against DR Congo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to convert all three attempts on target and was ridiculed by fans suggesting he was past his prime at 41 years of age. Some even contended he was holding Portugal back by starting, but everything changed on Tuesday.
Ronaldo scored twice, surprised onlookers by laying off a free kick to Nuno Mendes, who slotted home, before Rafael Leao also registered on the scoresheet. While Messi has been making history throughout this tournament, Ronaldo reached his own landmark by becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups.
“God helps those who work hard. I knew my teammates would help out too,” Ronaldo said after the match. “It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I’d retired from soccer.
“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.”
Cristiano Ronaldo found the net against Uzbekistan (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
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Ronaldo also insisted that Portugal has moved forward since the opening draw, 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.”