Cristiano Ronaldo calls Lionel Messi question 'pointless' but admits showdown at 2026 FIFA World Cup would be 'great'

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Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring twice in Portugal's 5-0 dismantling of Uzbekistan - before brushing off a "pointless question" about the prospect of facing Lionel Messi.

'I always get there' - Ronaldo faces down criticism after record-breaking brace

Video credit: SNTV

After a subdued 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their Group K opener, Portugal - and Ronaldo in particular - had faced criticism, but Roberto Martinez’s side responded in commanding style under the Houston Stadium roof on Tuesday night.

Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also found the net, while Uzbekistan compounded their difficulties with an own goal in a one-sided contest dominated by Portugal.

Ronaldo had gone 10 competitive games for Portugal at major tournaments without a goal, but he needed just six minutes to end that drought with a well-taken finish at the near post.

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In doing so, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward became the first player to score in six World Cup finals.

Aged 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history - only behind Roger Milla from Cameroon, who scored at the age of 42 years and 39 days during USA '94.

Lionel Messi is the top goalscorer at this summer's tournament with five goals, and the Portugal talisman was asked if he would relish the opportunity of facing his old foe at the World Cup in the mixed zone.

Ronaldo responded: "Well, I don't know what to answer you, because that's a somewhat... pointless question, but anyway. It would be great.

"But the most important thing was today. Winning to advance from the group and be prepared for what's to come.

"We know we'll have a tough match against Colombia, but the main objective was to get through the group and we did it. I played well, scored, helped the team. The team is doing very well, and we move on."

Ronaldo: When things go bad, I'm old and retired

Much attention had centred on Ronaldo's place in the starting XI, yet Martinez persisted with the 41-year-old and was rewarded with a performance full of intent and clinical finishing.

He had already squandered an early opportunity when he failed to connect cleanly with a precise cross from Mendes, but made no mistake moments later, swivelling sharply to fire home first time at the near post from a Joao Cancelo delivery.

The result puts Portugal in control of Group K on four points, with Colombia set to play DR Congo in the early hours of Wednesday.

Ronaldo, who had just 25 touches and failed to register a shot on target against DR Congo, reflected on the difference against Uzbekistan in Houston.

"We improved - that's life," he continued. "There are trade-offs we face during matches, during life, and the main objective is always to improve.

"That's what we do. I can tell you it was a very tough week, a difficult week, a week in which public opinion was very harsh on us, all the players, especially the coach.

"But nothing ever goes wrong, because as we can imagine, it's been 23 years in the profession, and whenever things go well, Cristiano is good, when things go badly, he's retired, he's old.

"It will always be like that. But it was a good response for me and my team-mates, which is what we wanted. We are well positioned, we play well, we play with the lines high.

"When that happens, it's very difficult to stop Portugal, it's no coincidence that we scored five goals. Nowadays, football is very difficult, and the truth is that I am very happy. Now to rest and move on to the next one."

Martinez and his Portugal players now head to Miami as they prepare to face Colombia on June 28 in their final group game, hoping to wrap up top spot to go with their place in the knockout phase.

It has been the World Cup for the stars, with Messi's five goals leading the way, but he is being chased by both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, who have four goals each for France and Norway respectively.

"I always get there," Ronaldo said, when asked about the race for the Golden Boot.

"Maybe late, but I'm there. That's why I continue to go to my job, I believe strongly in what I do, I believe strongly that I'm working hard, God helps. My career has always been like this, and I'm very happy.

"For me, the most important thing is the team, being united with them, being united with our families, and we know we can control that.

"Everything else that comes from outside, we can't control it. Because when we don't play well, we don't win, we are always attacked, especially me, but I'm used to it, and I keep going."

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