‘A very, very tough week’ – Ronaldo responds to ‘very harsh’ criticism after scoring twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo says the criticism aimed at him following his performance in Portugal’s opening game draw with DR Congo at the World Cup has been “very harsh”.

The 41-year-old delivered the perfect response to his critics by scoring twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in their second group game.

And Ronaldo says his years of experience have prepared him to deal with the criticism he has faced of late.

“We improve. Life is like that,” Ronaldo said after his side’s win. “There are setbacks we face during matches and in life, and the main objective is always to improve. That’s what we did.

“I can tell you it was a very, very tough week, a difficult week where public opinion was very harsh on us, on all the players, especially on me and the coach. But it’s always like that, it’s nothing new, because as you can imagine, it’s been 23 years in this profession.

“When things go well, Cristiano is great. When they go badly, he’s finished, he’s old. It will always be like that.”

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Ronaldo also said he had no doubts that he would be able to contribute at the tournament despite the disappointment of the opening game.

“I always arrive, but even if I arrive later, I’m there,” he said. “That’s why I just keep doing my work. I really believe in what I do. I strongly believe that God’s work helps.

“My career has always been like that. I wouldn’t change anything, and I’m very happy, because for me the most important thing is the team, being with them, staying united with our families. We know that everything else that comes from outside, we cannot control.”