Ronaldo relishes ‘beautiful moment’ with new World Cup record

GBNEWS24DESK//

Cristiano Ronaldo said he was “very proud” to have become the first player to score in five men’s World Cups as he helped Portugal to a 3-2 victory over Ghana on Thursday at the start of their campaign in Qatar.

“It was a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup,” Ronaldo said in brief comments to reporters. “We won. We started on a good foot. It’s a very important win. We know in these competitions the first match is fundamental.”

Asked about his acrimonious departure from Manchester United this week, Ronaldo said the only thing that mattered was Portugal’s win.

“All the rest, it doesn’t matter,” he added.
Booted out by his beloved Manchester United, suspended by the Football Association and deemed over the hill by many, Cristiano Ronaldo answered everything in the best possible fashion with another record-breaking display on Thursday.

Just another week then in the glittering career of the 37-year-old Portugal talisman who attracts plaudits and criticism like no other player in the history of the game.

Two days after Manchester United abruptly ended his second stint at Old Trafford following his scathing criticism of the club, Ronaldo took out his frustration on Ghana as Portugal opened their World Cup campaign with a nervy 3-2 victory.

There had been talk that circus surrounding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was distracting Fernando Santos’s squad.

After all, it is hardly ideal when your captain turns up in Qatar in the middle of a very public divorce with his club who he accused of betrayal.

Come game time on Thursday in Doha’s 974 Stadium partly constructed with old shipping containers, Ronaldo showed that at 37 he retains the magical knack of delivering when it matters.

Ronaldo went into the match already holding the world record for international goals and he took his total to 118 in the 65th minute with a penalty that made him the first player ever to score in five editions of the men’s World Cup.