Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a powerful response to his critics after scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup.
The 41-year-old shouted “I’m back! I’m back!” into a television camera after the match, following a performance that made him the first player in men’s or women’s football to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
Ronaldo had faced criticism after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening Group K match. Other major stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr and Harry Kane, had already made strong starts to the tournament.
However, Ronaldo made his mark against Uzbekistan just six minutes into the match. He opened the scoring with a half-volley from Joao Cancelo’s cross before adding a second goal before half-time after a through-ball from Bruno Fernandes.
A goal-line clearance denied Ronaldo a first-half hat-trick, while Portugal’s efforts in the second half could not create another clear chance for their captain.
When asked about his “I’m back” message, Ronaldo said: “Only so they [his critics] don’t forget, 23 years [doing so] like this.”
He added: “I’m very happy but the most important thing is the work the team did and the confidence it gives us.
“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, in their final Group K match as they battle for qualification and top spot.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez praised Ronaldo for helping the team recover from the disappointment of their opening draw.
“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,” Martinez said.
“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.”
Martinez added that Ronaldo remained an important example for the squad.
“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.”
Former England captain Wayne Rooney also praised his former Manchester United team-mate after the match.
“With all the other top players scoring goals at this tournament, to score two goals at the World Cup at 41 is incredible,” Rooney told BBC Sport.
“He didn’t have the best game but this is what he does. He’s taken a bit of criticism and this is how he responds. He has done that his whole career.”
Rooney said Ronaldo’s desire to remain the best had driven him throughout his career.
“He wants to be the best and he’s always been like that. When the other forwards and attacking players are scoring goals, he wants to top that list. His response here is exactly what you’d expect from him.”
Portugal’s other goals came through a Nuno Mendes free-kick, an own goal from Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov and a late strike from substitute Rafael Leao.
Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro said Ronaldo’s performance showed he was still capable of competing at the highest level.
“You come to the World Cup and show that when you are 41 you are still hungry and can do a lot,” Cannavaro said.
“You don’t forget how to play football. He is part of the history of the World Cup.”
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane also defended Ronaldo against those who questioned his form.
“Cristiano Ronaldo was never gone,” Keane said. “He is the man. What is up with everybody? Doubted genius.”
Ronaldo’s latest goals also made him the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days. Only Cameroon’s Roger Milla was older when he scored against Russia at the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42.
Ronaldo has now made 24 World Cup appearances, placing him behind only Lionel Messi and Lothar Matthaus in the tournament’s all-time appearance rankings.
He also shares the longest gap between a player’s first and last World Cup goal with Messi, at 20 years and 11 days.
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