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Rabat – Cristiano Ronaldo declined to comment on Lionel Messi when a reporter attempted to ask him about the Argentina captain following Portugal’s commanding win over Uzbekistan.
A video circulating online shows Ronaldo speaking to journalists in the mixed zone after Portugal’s 5-0 win in their second Group K match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
One reporter began his question by mentioning that Messi had scored twice in Argentina’s latest match against Austria.
Ronaldo interrupted before the question could be completed and made clear that he would only respond if he considered the question appropriate.
“It depends on the question. Otherwise, I will not answer you,” Ronaldo told the reporter.
The journalist asked the Portugal captain to allow him to finish, but Ronaldo declined and requested another question.
“Next question,” he said, before continuing his conversation with other members of the media without addressing Messi or his recent performance.
Ronaldo and Messi make World Cup history
The exchange came after both players delivered historic performances during the second round of group-stage matches.
Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0, taking his World Cup total to 18 goals and making him the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
Ronaldo responded one day later by scoring twice against Uzbekistan.
¿Cristiano muy molesto? 😳
El Bicho decidió ignorar deliberadamente a un reportero cuando le preguntaron sobre Lionel Messi. 🇵🇹
¡Momentos de tensión!
📹 @pablo_LMtz pic.twitter.com/VM9StF85yr
— DIARIO RÉCORD (@record_mexico) June 23, 2026
His first goal made him the first player in football history to score at six different World Cups, having found the net at every tournament from 2006 to 2026.
The brace also took him to 10 World Cup goals, moving him past Eusébio as Portugal’s leading scorer in the history of the tournament.
Ronaldo focuses on Portugal
Ronaldo preferred to speak about Portugal’s improved performance after the team had been criticized following its opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
The 41-year-old opened the scoring against Uzbekistan before adding his second goal later in the first half.
Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão were also on target, while an own goal completed the 5-0 win.
After the match, Ronaldo celebrated in front of the television cameras by shouting: “I’m back.”
He later emphasized that the team’s progress and confidence were more important than his personal records.
The latest mixed-zone exchange once again showed the level of attention surrounding Ronaldo and Messi, whose careers have been compared for nearly two decades.
However, Ronaldo chose not to add another comment to the long-running discussion, instead directing the focus toward Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
