Ibrahimovic: 'Ronaldo acts as if he just returned from another planet'
US - According to former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo's brace in the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan is not a major achievement at the 2026 World Cup.
"I was a bit confused to hear Ronaldo say he is back. Back from where? If you score two goals and shout 'I'm back', it sounds as if you've been missing for ten years and suddenly returned from another planet," Ibrahimovic commented on Fox Sports on June 24. "Maybe he meant he made his critics shut up again. If that's what he meant, then fine."
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According to the former Inter, AC Milan, and PSG star, Uzbekistan is not a very difficult opponent. Therefore, Ronaldo scoring two goals to help Portugal win 5-0 is a good result but not too surprising.
Thierry Henry, another former star who criticized Ronaldo after the opening draw against DR Congo, also agreed that the recent brace was positive for Portugal but needs further testing. "The avenger has finally appeared, but can he do the same against Colombia? That is a tough opponent," the former Arsenal and Barca striker analyzed.
Cristiano Ronaldo (number 7) celebrates during the Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan match in Group K of the 2026 World Cup in Houston, USA on June 23. Photo: AP
Ronaldo faced a lot of criticism after the opening match in Group K, a draw against DR Congo. Many believed the 41-year-old striker was past his prime, should start on the bench, and leave the starting spot for younger players. However, in the second match on June 23, Ronaldo shone with the opening goal in the 6th minute and completed his brace in the 39th minute, setting the stage for Portugal's big win.
Thanks to the opening goal, he became the first player to score in 6 World Cups, and also the second oldest player to score in this tournament at 41 years and 138 days old, only behind Cameroon's Roger Milla. After the match, Ronaldo turned to the camera and sent a message: "I'm back."
While Ibrahimovic and Henry had opposing views, his former Man Utd teammates were all happy for Ronaldo. Former defender Gary Neville said he liked watching Ronaldo celebrate his goal in anger, while former midfielder Roy Keane believed criticizing CR7 is normal but should not be too harsh.
Former striker Wayne Rooney also praised: "For him to score two goals at the World Cup at the age of 41 is unbelievable. Ronaldo has faced some criticism and this is how he responds. He has done this throughout his career."
Key events of the Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan match in Group K of the 2026 World Cup on the evening of June 23.
Ronaldo has played for Portugal since 2003, setting national team records for appearances (230) and goals (145), helping the team win their first three major titles: Euro 2016, Nations League 2019, and 2025. Including club level, he holds the record with 975 goals. Ronaldo has also become the highest-scoring Portuguese player at the World Cup with 10 goals, breaking the 9-goal record of legend Eusebio.
Currently, Portugal has four points after the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup, ranking second in Group K and trailing Colombia by two points. To advance as group winners, Ronaldo and his teammates need to beat the South American representative on June 27. If they succeed, in the round of 32, they will face one of the five third-placed teams from groups D, E, I, J, and L.
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