What Cristiano Ronaldo shouted into World Cup TV camera at full time | Football | Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name into the World Cup history books as Portugal demolished Uzbekistan before declaring: “I’m back, I’m back!” Ronaldo netted twice at Houston Stadium as Roberto Martinez’s side secured their first victory of the tournament.
Both Portugal and Ronaldo had faced fierce criticism following a tepid 1-1 draw in their Group K opener against DR Congo, but they burst into life here. Within just six minutes, Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player ever to score in six World Cups.
Nuno Mendes then doubled the advantage before the Al-Nassr forward made it 3-0, coolly slotting Bruno Fernandes’ through ball into the far corner. Portugal’s fourth arrived on the hour mark when a low cross into the box pinballed off Abdukodir Khusanov and Abduvohid Nematov before finding the net.
Rafael Leao then put the gloss on the scoreline four minutes from time. Moments after the final whistle sounded, Ronaldo turned to the TV camera and roared: “I’m back, I’m back!”
Responding to Ronaldo’s remarkable feat, Roy Keane said: “Cristiano Ronaldo was never gone. He is the man. What is up with everybody? Doubted genius.”
“We met Tom Brady the other day. He is up there with all these sportspeople. He’s the man. Great to see him back. His two goals were excellent. Again, he has joined the party. The hardest point of the game is putting the ball in the back of the net. And he does.”
Meanwhile, fellow former United team-mate Wayne Rooney added: “With all the other top players scoring goals at this tournament, at 41 to score two goals at the World Cup is incredible. He didn’t have the best game, but this is what he does. He’s taken a bit of criticism, and this is how he responds.
“He has done that his whole career. He wants to be the best at what he does, and he’s always been like that. When the other forwards and attacking players are scoring goals, he wants to top that list.
“His response here is exactly what you’d expect from him. He’s selfish in terms of he wants to be the best, but he is a team player also. To watch Messi last night and Ronaldo tonight at their age, it’s incredible what they are doing.”
Portugal manager Martinez faced sharp criticism for failing to substitute Ronaldo during the stalemate with Congo, as the former Real Madrid talisman appeared bereft of inspiration, squandering two efforts wide in the second half and registering just 25 touches throughout the entire match.
Yet speaking before the fixture, former Everton manager Martinez said: “We are playing a World Cup, so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game.
“The focus is on the team, and we want to show a positive attitude… to be ready for the match. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before.”
