Cristiano Ronaldo was happy to talk about records, criticism and Portugal’s emphatic response against Uzbekistan. He was far less interested when the conversation turned towards Lionel Messi.The Portugal captain produced one of the standout performances of the World Cup so far on Tuesday night, scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan that transformed Portugal’s position in Group K and added several more milestones to his remarkable career.After a difficult opening match against DR Congo, where Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw and Ronaldo faced criticism for failing to convert key chances, the 41-year-old responded with a record-breaking display in Houston.His first goal arrived after just six minutes when he flicked João Cancelo’s low cross beyond goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, becoming the first player in football history to score in six different World Cup tournaments.His second, scored shortly before half-time after a perfectly timed run onto a Bruno Fernandes through-ball, moved him onto 10 World Cup goals for Portugal and allowed him to surpass Eusébio’s long-standing national record of nine that had stood since 1966.Following the match, Ronaldo appeared relieved as much as delighted.After spotting a television camera, he shouted “I’m back”, a message that seemed directed at those who had questioned both his form and Portugal’s prospects after the opening match.Speaking afterwards, Ronaldo admitted the previous week had not been easy.“It was a difficult, dark week. It felt like I was already retired from football. But I held on, like I always do, because I believe in work more than anything else.”Asked about his “I’m back” comment, Ronaldo added: “Yes, so people do not forget.”On his performance, the veteran said: “They said I should retire… but I am here.“The noise from outside is always like this, but we can’t control it. We keep going and we are united.”The veteran forward suggested the scrutiny extended beyond his performance against DR Congo, with reports circulating about alleged tensions within the Portugal camp.“I knew my teammates were going to help me too. It was difficult, I have to admit, but we’re back. I’m very happy.”Ronaldo was also asked about becoming the first footballer to score in six World Cups, a record that adds to a list of achievements that already includes being international football’s all-time leading goalscorer.“Records are always nice to break, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. The most important thing was the team’s work and the confidence we had.”At 41 years and 138 days old, Ronaldo is now the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla, while also being the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match. His latest appearance also marked his sixth World Cup tournament, where he has now scored in every edition, a Guinness World Record as the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups.However, the mood changed when one reporter attempted to ask about Messi.During the mixed-zone interviews, a Spanish-speaking journalist began framing a question around Messi’s latest World Cup exploits and appeared set to reference both the Argentina captain and Kylian Mbappé before Ronaldo abruptly ended the exchange.Rather than allowing the question to continue, Ronaldo turned away, pointed towards another journalist and invited them to ask their question instead.The reporter never finished.Later, when another journalist asked whether he could ask a question, Ronaldo offered a blunt response.“That depends on the question, otherwise I won’t answer you.”Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, entered the day as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals from two matches and recently became the highest goalscorer in men’s World Cup history. Yet Ronaldo showed little interest in discussing his long-time rival on a night that belonged to Portugal.The only occasion he briefly entertained the subject came when he was asked about the possibility of facing Argentina later in the tournament.“I don’t know what to answer. It’s a question that doesn’t make much sense. But, well, it would be top.”For now, Ronaldo’s focus remains firmly on Portugal’s own journey.The victory over Uzbekistan moved Roberto Martínez’s side onto four points and left them in a strong position ahead of a decisive final Group K meeting with Colombia. If Portugal win, they will secure top spot in the group and carry significant momentum into the knockout rounds.After what Ronaldo described as a “dark week”, the conversation he seemed most interested in was not about Messi, Mbappé or any other rival. It was about Portugal’s response, and his own reminder that he remains capable of shaping the biggest tournament in football.
