Ronaldo first to score in six World Cups

In a surprising turn during Portugal's match against Uzbekistan at the FIFA World Cup in Boston, Cristiano Ronaldo chose not to comment on his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, when approached by reporters after the game. The Portuguese star had just scored two goals in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, marking his first win of the tournament and securing his place in history as the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Despite his impressive performance, Ronaldo declined to engage in comparisons with Messi, who had already scored five goals in this edition of the competition.

The match was a significant turnaround for Portugal, which had drawn 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in its opening game. This result had led to criticism of Ronaldo's performance, but he quickly redeemed himself with a standout display in Boston. His first goal came just six minutes into the match, following an assist from Joao Cancelo, while his second goal arrived in the 39th minute after a quick counterattack initiated by Bruno Fernandes. These goals not only secured a convincing win but also marked Ronaldo’s tenth World Cup goal, spread across six different tournaments.

Ronaldo’s achievement places him among the most decorated players in World Cup history. He has now scored four goals in the 2018 World Cup, one each in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022, making him the highest-scoring Portuguese player in World Cup history. His record surpasses that of Eusebio, who scored all nine of his World Cup goals in England 1966. Ronaldo is now second on the list of oldest goal scorers in World Cup history, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia in 1994.

Despite his personal success, Ronaldo remained focused on the team effort rather than individual accolades. During the post-match press conference, he avoided questions about Messi and Kylian Mbappé, both of whom had been prolific scorers in the tournament. While Messi had already netted five goals, and Mbappé had contributed four, Ronaldo chose to keep the conversation centered around Portugal’s performance and their upcoming matches.

Portugal’s victory elevated them to the top of Group K, with Colombia set to challenge them for the group lead. Colombia will face the Democratic Republic of Congo later in the day, and if they win, they could potentially reclaim the top spot in the group. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan remains without a point from their opening match, having lost to Portugal and facing the Democratic Republic of Congo in their next fixture.

As the tournament progresses, attention will remain on Ronaldo’s ability to continue scoring and leading Portugal through the competition. With his unique blend of experience and skill, he continues to be a pivotal figure for his national team. His refusal to discuss his rivalry with Messi highlights his focus on the present moment, emphasizing teamwork and collective success over individual achievements. As Portugal moves forward in the group stage, the world will be watching to see if Ronaldo can maintain his form and help his country advance further in the tournament.