Cristiano Ronaldo ignores journalist’s Messi question after Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo was in no mood to entertain questions about Lionel Messi following Portugal’s emphatic 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A brief post-match interaction with the Portuguese superstar has since gone viral after he appeared to completely ignore a reporter who tried to ask him about his long-time rival.
The moment came shortly after Ronaldo produced one of his strongest performances of the tournament, he scored twice as Portugal fought back from a frustrating 1:1 draw against DR Congo. As the 41-year-old made his way through the mixed zone, a journalist attempted to zoom in on Messi’s goalscoring performances at the World Cup.
PORTUGAL vs. UZBEKISTAN, FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Ronaldo just kept walking.
There was no visible irritation, no reaction and no attempt to answer the question. The Portugal captain appeared to be focused on moving on after another record-breaking night, but the clip quickly found its way onto social media, with fans debating whether Ronaldo deliberately ignored the question or simply chose not to engage.
The timing of the incident only added to the intrigue.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have been among the biggest talking points of the tournament so far. While Messi lit up the World Cup with five goals in two games for Argentina, Ronaldo responded to recent criticism against Uzbekistan with another record-breaking performance.
Predictably, the rivalry that has defined modern football has quickly become part of the online conversation once again.
RONALDO ANSWERS CRITICS WITH GOALS
The viral moment came on a night that firmly belonged to Ronaldo.
Heading into the match against Uzbekistan, the Portuguese captain found himself under pressure after a crushing outing against DR Congo. Ronaldo managed just 25 touches in that match, did not register a shot on target and was criticized by several pundits, including Thierry Henry.
Almost immediately, questions about his place in the party resurfaced.
Ronaldo’s response arrived on the pitch.
The experienced striker scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win, helping Roberto Martinez’s side secure a crucial victory and silence many of the doubts that had emerged after the opening game. More importantly, the brace made him the first footballer in history to score in six different FIFA World Cups.
The goals also moved him past Portugal legend Eusebio as the country’s top scorer at the World Cup.
It felt like another familiar chapter for a player who has spent much of his career responding to criticism with goals.
RONALDO VS MESSI SO FAR AT THE WORLD CUP
The latest viral clip arrived against the backdrop of another remarkable chapter in the Messi-Ronaldo story.
Messi has enjoyed a sensational start to the tournament with Argentina. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened his campaign with a hat-trick against Algeria before scoring twice against Austria.
These performances helped Messi become the undisputed top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history while taking Argentina into the knockout stages.
Messi’s second is a stratospheric goal, not because of what it is, but because of what it represents.
Win 1-0, minute 95, 39 years old, from a counter attack, runs 40 meters, makes a brutal pass to a teammate, he misses it, Messi gets it, dribbles and misses, instead of complaining, he throws like a madman. pic.twitter.com/aUXb2cv8K9— Ivan Abad (@NetMentorTW) June 22, 2026
Ronaldo’s start was a bit more turbulent.
After a draw against DR Congo, the Portugal captain rediscovered his spot-kick against Uzbekistan with a record haul. Portugal remain well placed in their group and Ronaldo continues his pursuit of another deep World Cup run in what could be the final chapter of his international career.
For nearly two decades, soccer has been defined by the extraordinary rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo. Between them they won 13 Ballon d’Or titles, broke countless records and reshaped what greatness looks like in the modern game.
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
Jun 24, 2026 01:54 IST