Cristiano Ronaldo answers critics with historic double

Cristiano Ronaldo was walking off the pitch at Houston Stadium after Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan when he noticed a television camera tracking him.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is seen after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

"I'm back. I'm back," he said, looking straight into the lens.

Ronaldo had just scored twice, helping Portugal secure its first win of the tournament and becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.

The achievement came after a difficult week for the Portugal captain. His performance in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo had drawn criticism from pundits and supporters, with some questioning whether he should still lead the line at the age of 41.

Against Uzbekistan, he responded on the pitch. Ronaldo opened the scoring after six minutes. Joao Cancelo delivered a cross from the right and the forward, finding space between defenders, guided a first-time effort beyond goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.

The second strike showed something different. Bruno Fernandes released him with a through ball during a counterattack and Ronaldo timed his run perfectly, accelerating onto the pass before sliding his shot into the far corner.

Both finishes came with a single touch. The first relied on positioning and anticipation. The second required pace, timing and composure.

Together, they offered a reminder of the qualities that have kept Ronaldo at the highest level for so long.

Only a goal-line clearance denied him a hat trick before halftime as Roberto Martinez's side took complete control of the match.

Afterward, Ronaldo reflected on the criticism that followed the opening game.

"But it's always like that," he said in Portuguese. "It doesn't matter, because it's been 23 years on the job and when things go well, 'Cristiano is good,' when things go bad, 'Cristiano is a retired player, is old.' It will always be like that. But we responded well today, me and my teammates, which is what we wanted."

Martinez said Ronaldo's example had helped guide Portugal through a turbulent few days.

"He's a human being," Martinez said. "He's allowed to have emotions. He's allowed to have feelings. What is impressive with him is the answer. Whatever he feels, the answer is to get back on the training ground and practice and work and demand from himself."

Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney said the display followed a familiar pattern.

"He didn't have the best game, but this is what he does," Rooney told BBC Sport. "He's taken a bit of criticism and this is how he responds. He has done that his whole career."

Another former teammate, Roy Keane, lavished praise on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Cristiano Ronaldo was never gone," he said. "Why would you ever doubt him? What you have to admire about Ronaldo on top of everything else is he is a billionaire, who has won everything apart from the World Cup, but the hunger, and desire to keep getting in there. To me that is the great example for these lads, that hunger to keep getting goals."

The mood around Portugal's camp and its captain has shifted considerably ahead of the team's final group match against Colombia.

With his team's campaign back on track, Ronaldo can once again focus on the one achievement that has eluded him despite a career filled with records and trophies.