'WE ARE HERE!’ - Ronaldo's message to critics after WC history

Portugal v Uzbekistan: Group K - FIFA World Cup 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo was in a defiant mood after leading Portugal to a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, insisting his side have truly arrived at the 2026 World Cup. The legendary forward silenced his detractors in Houston with a clinical double that secured three vital points for the Selecao.

Ronaldo fires back after 'dark week'

Ronaldo admitted it had been a “dark week” after answering the critics that claimed he “had already retired from football” with a brilliant display for Portugal against Uzbekistan at the World Cup. The veteran striker had faced intense scrutiny following a toothless performance during Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, leading some to suggest his time at the top had finally come to an end.

However, the 41-year-old responded in typical fashion, delivering a 9/10 performance in Houston that reminded the world of his enduring quality. Speaking to Sport TV after the full-time whistle, Ronaldo said: “I know that whoever works hard, God helps him. It was a tough week, a dark one, it started as if I had retired from football. But I held on as I always hold on because I believe in work more than football. It was tough, I have to admit, but we came back.”

Ronaldo's message to the fans

After scoring twice and helping Portugal dominate Uzbekistan, Ronaldo celebrated in a way that quickly went viral. Cameras captured the Portuguese icon looking directly toward the lens after the final whistle, where he shouted: “I’m back! I’m back!”

Ronaldo celebrated After the match, with his followers on Instagram by posting pictures of his goal celebration with the caption: "estamos aqui" which means 'WE ARE HERE!'.

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Writing history in Houston

The Al-Nassr star needed only six minutes to find the net, meeting a Joao Cancelo cross with a pinpoint half-volley. In doing so, he became the first male player to score in six different World Cups, further cementing his legacy as the most prolific international goalscorer of all time. His second of the afternoon saw him move onto 10 World Cup goals, overtaking the legendary Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the competition.

Reflecting on the team's mental strength, Ronaldo added: “I’m very happy, but the most important thing is the work the team did, the trust we had. We took a lot of beatings during the week, we knew this was going to happen, but the team worked well, we improved a lot.”

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Looking ahead to the knockouts

The 5-0 victory virtually guarantees Portugal a place in the round of 32, allowing them to focus on building momentum for the latter stages of the tournament. While Uzbekistan struggled to live with the European giants, they did have a goal ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up, and their goalkeeper Abdouvakhid Nematov was kept busy throughout by a relentless Portuguese attack.

The result leaves Portugal in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages, effectively erasing the memory of their disappointing Group K opener.