CRISTIANO Ronaldo emphatically ended speculation over his form by delivering a record-breaking performance as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 on Tuesday, becoming the first player in football history to score in six FIFA World Cups.
The veteran forward struck twice before half-time to propel Portugal to a comfortable victory, easing pressure on both himself and the national team after they faced widespread criticism for a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their opening Group match.
Ronaldo's goals also saw him surpass Portuguese great Eusebio to become his nation's leading scorer at World Cup finals, reinforcing his status as one of the tournament's greatest-ever players.
Having watched long-time rival Lionel Messi, along with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, make their mark earlier in the competition, Ronaldo responded with a timely reminder that his clinical finishing remains as sharp as ever.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez dismissed any suggestion that Ronaldo had lost confidence, saying the enduring rivalry with players such as Messi continues to inspire excellence.
"I believe both players have improved football over the years, and their rivalry is important for themselves to grow," he said.
"[Ronaldo] is an icon and a role model in the national team. He has a great attitude on the pitch and in the dressing room.
"Not just the scoring – the passes, the chances created – he is a role model when it comes to the World Cup."
Ronaldo appeared to shout, "I'm back!" towards television cameras as he left the pitch after scoring his brace, although Martinez insisted he has never seen the forward question his own abilities.
"He is a human being and is allowed to have feelings," he said. "I have never worked with a player that says, whatever happens today, tomorrow he is hungry to work again.
"And that is a quality I would like to pass on to every young player."
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory during Ronaldo's first appearance at the tournament in 2006, praised the Portuguese captain's remarkable longevity and enduring threat in front of goal.
"When you play against Ronaldo, you cannot leave anything for him. If you give him even one centimetre, he will score," Cannavaro said.
"The [Portugal] players play for him; they give the ball to him. As a defender, you need to be very smart to be close to him.
"He is a very good professional, and I told him after the game, 'You can play for more years and enjoy your football'."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also congratulated Ronaldo on what he described as an "incredible achievement", extending his best wishes to the Portuguese star for the remainder of the tournament. - June 24, 2026
