![Cristiano Ronaldo [Getty Images]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/24/news-p.v1.20260624.e9b01c99cb3a419a8f34d97849ef7332_P1.jpg)
Cristiano Ronaldo is back. The Portuguese superstar, 41, overcame a difficult stretch at the 2026 World Cup to become the first player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup tournaments.
After Portugal's Group K second match against Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on Wednesday, Ronaldo turned to the camera and shouted "I'm back!" twice.
Reflecting on the week since Portugal's opening match, Ronaldo said it had been a dark and difficult time. "It felt like I had already retired from football," he said. "But I held on, as I always have — because I believe in hard work more than anything. It was a tough time, I admit, but we are back."
Portugal had drawn 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 18 in their Group K opener, with Ronaldo making little impact.
Ronaldo also addressed the criticism that has followed him throughout his 23-year professional career. "When things go well, people say, 'Cristiano is great.' When things don't go well, they say I should retire or that I'm old," he said. "It has always been like that."
He said the result was a fitting response. "This match is a good answer for me and my teammates," he said. "This is what we wanted."
"I have always been in that position," Ronaldo said. "I may be a little late sometimes, but ultimately I get there. That is why I keep doing this." He added that he has strong belief in what he does and works hard at it.
Asked whether he would like to face rival Lionel Messi of Argentina at this tournament, Ronaldo said the question felt somewhat pointless. "I'm not sure how to answer that, but it would be great anyway," he said. "The most important thing, though, is Wednesday's match."
"On Wednesday I played very well and scored. I helped the team. The team is also playing well," he said. "We need to move on."
Ronaldo scored the opening goal just six minutes into the match, becoming the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive tournaments.
He added a second in the 39th minute — his team's third goal of the match — to complete a brace. It was his 10th World Cup goal in total, surpassing Eusebio's record of nine to become Portugal's all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.
Ronaldo's scoring streak dates to 2006
![Cristiano Ronaldo [Getty Images]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/24/news-p.v1.20260624.087f1adb1e7d4c1da5e780af6d462a52_P1.jpg)
The historic run began on June 17, 2006, in Frankfurt, Germany, when Ronaldo converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute of Portugal's group-stage match against Iran at the Germany World Cup — his first World Cup goal, sealing a 2-0 win.
He then scored once each at the 2010 tournament in South Africa and the 2014 tournament in Brazil. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he netted four goals, including a hat trick against Spain in the group stage.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he scored a penalty against Ghana in the group-stage opener to become the first player ever to score in five consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Wednesday's goal also extended his own record as the oldest outfield player to appear at a World Cup, now set at 41 years and 138 days. In the all-time oldest World Cup scorer rankings, he moved to second place behind Cameroon's Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years and 39 days.
Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K second match. With Ronaldo back in form, Portugal push on in their bid for the title.
yul@heraldcorp.com
