Cristiano Ronaldo savoured the end of a âdifficult, dark weekâ after scoring twice in Portugalâs 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan and becoming the first player to find the net in six World Cups.
Ronaldo and Portugal had come under heavy criticism after a flat draw against Democratic Republic of the Congo. There had been a particular spotlight on the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had not scored in 10 major tournament games before Tuesdayâs fixture. There have long been question marks over his continued ability to lead Portugal on this stage, but after the final whistle he shouted into a television camera: âIâm back, Iâm back.â
âGod helps those who work hard,â Ronaldo said later. âIt was a difficult, dark week; it felt like Iâd already retired from football. But I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to admit, but weâre back.
âItâs fine because when you think about it, itâs already 23 years Iâve been a professional and whenever things donât go well itâs: âCristiano, heâs finished, heâs old.â But well, it was a good response from me and my teammates, which is what we wanted.â
Ronaldo acknowledged his record, set the day after Lionel Messi became the World Cupâs highest scorer of all time, but paid tribute to Portugalâs collective recovery. âVery happy, but for me the most important thing is the work the team did, the confidence we had,â he said. âWe took a lot of hits during the week, we knew that would happen. The team worked very well, we improved a lot. Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say.
âSpeaking for myself, breaking records is always nice, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. In this part it was about getting through the qualifying round, and with four points I think weâve already done it.â
The win may ignite hopes that Portugal can become genuine contenders. âToday I was [named] the best player on the field, tomorrow it will be someone else,â Ronaldo said. âIf we are united, I think we can go very far.â Asked about Messiâs goals, he replied bluntly: âI donât care about Messi.â
Roberto MartĂnez, who said Ronaldo had been a âperfect captainâ in the face of the past weekâs brickbats, was willing to engage in praise for both players. âBoth of them make history in football,â the Portugal head coach said. âThey improve football and the rivalry is important for them to grow as players as well. Our captain is an icon, a role model for the national team. He tries to improve every day, in every training session, and has a great attitude in the dressing room.â
The Uzbekistan head coach, Fabio Cannavaro, said the feat should quieten criticism of the Saudi Pro League, where Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr. âI told him: âMaybe you can do more years if youâre not tired and enjoy football,ââ he said. âIf you still look like that, why not carry on?
Ronaldo and Portugal had come under heavy criticism after a flat draw against Democratic Republic of the Congo. There had been a particular spotlight on the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had not scored in 10 major tournament games before Tuesdayâs fixture. There have long been question marks over his continued ability to lead Portugal on this stage, but after the final whistle he shouted into a television camera: âIâm back, Iâm back.â
âGod helps those who work hard,â Ronaldo said later. âIt was a difficult, dark week; it felt like Iâd already retired from football. But I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to admit, but weâre back.
âItâs fine because when you think about it, itâs already 23 years Iâve been a professional and whenever things donât go well itâs: âCristiano, heâs finished, heâs old.â But well, it was a good response from me and my teammates, which is what we wanted.â
Ronaldo acknowledged his record, set the day after Lionel Messi became the World Cupâs highest scorer of all time, but paid tribute to Portugalâs collective recovery. âVery happy, but for me the most important thing is the work the team did, the confidence we had,â he said. âWe took a lot of hits during the week, we knew that would happen. The team worked very well, we improved a lot. Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say.
âSpeaking for myself, breaking records is always nice, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. In this part it was about getting through the qualifying round, and with four points I think weâve already done it.â
The win may ignite hopes that Portugal can become genuine contenders. âToday I was [named] the best player on the field, tomorrow it will be someone else,â Ronaldo said. âIf we are united, I think we can go very far.â Asked about Messiâs goals, he replied bluntly: âI donât care about Messi.â
Roberto MartĂnez, who said Ronaldo had been a âperfect captainâ in the face of the past weekâs brickbats, was willing to engage in praise for both players. âBoth of them make history in football,â the Portugal head coach said. âThey improve football and the rivalry is important for them to grow as players as well. Our captain is an icon, a role model for the national team. He tries to improve every day, in every training session, and has a great attitude in the dressing room.â
The Uzbekistan head coach, Fabio Cannavaro, said the feat should quieten criticism of the Saudi Pro League, where Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr. âI told him: âMaybe you can do more years if youâre not tired and enjoy football,ââ he said. âIf you still look like that, why not carry on?
