Cancelo takes his hat off to Ronaldo.

Joao Cancelo believes Cristiano Ronaldo is still creating surreal moments at the age of 41, after scoring a brace to help Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued to be the center of attention in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the FIFA World Cup . The 41-year-old striker scored a brace, contributing to Roberto Martinez's team's emphatic win and their move closer to the knockout round.

After the match, Joao Cancelo showered his longtime teammate with praise. The Portuguese defender was particularly impressed with Ronaldo's second goal, a play that showed his goal-scoring instinct and positioning skills remain intact at the age of 41.

“I was watching the situation and thought the defenders had everything under control. Then suddenly Cristiano accelerated, moved into position and finished as if it were the easiest thing in the world,” Cancelo shared.

Ronaldo continues to render his opponents helpless.

Ronaldo's second goal didn't come from a particularly complicated move. But it was precisely that simplicity that showcased the class of a striker who has lived his life scoring goals for over two decades.

Ronaldo doesn't need many touches. He doesn't need flashy moves either. What makes the difference is the timing of his movement, how he separates himself from the defender, and his coolness when faced with opportunities.

Cancelo believes Ronaldo can still render opposing defenders helpless at the age of 41.

Cancelo saw it more clearly than anyone else. “People will talk about the finish, but for me, what’s remarkable is his movement before the goal. The timing, the intelligence, and his desire to attack the space were incredible,” the defender added.

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According to Cancelo, what's special about Ronaldo is that opponents know what he wants to do, but still can't stop him. The Uzbekistan defenders understand that Ronaldo is always looking for space in the penalty area. They also know that he only needs one touch to punish a mistake. But when the situation arises, Ronaldo still finds a way through.

“The funny thing is, everyone in the stadium knew what Cristiano wanted to do. The defenders knew it too. But somehow, he still managed to get away,” Cancelo said.

That's the quality that defined Ronaldo for much of his career. He didn't just beat opponents with physical strength or technique, but with his ability to read the situation a step faster than others.

"He's 41 years old and he still makes defenders look like they're chasing a ghost. At some point, you stop trying to explain and just enjoy what you're watching," Cancelo said.

The legacy doesn't end there.

At 41, Ronaldo was still scoring at the World Cup and continuing to break records. This led Cancelo to admit that there were moments when he no longer saw Ronaldo as a teammate, but as a fan witnessing an extraordinary phenomenon.

“There were times when I no longer saw him as a teammate. I saw him as a fan. What he continues to do at this age is truly special,” Cancelo said.

Ronaldo's positioning instincts help him maintain his attacking prowess in the penalty area.

The Portuguese defender also highlighted the difference between Ronaldo and most players his age. At a stage when many were thinking about retiring, Ronaldo was still playing in the World Cup, scoring goals and drawing the world 's attention to himself.

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“Most players his age are talking about retirement. Cristiano is still scoring at the World Cup and breaking records. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s Cristiano Ronaldo,” Cancelo asserted.

The victory against Uzbekistan not only helped Portugal relieve the pressure after early tournament doubts, but it also served as a reminder that Ronaldo still has a very special role in Martinez's team.

He may no longer be at his most explosive form. But in the penalty area, Ronaldo remains a major threat. Just one well-timed movement is enough for him to turn a seemingly ordinary situation into a goal.

For Ronaldo, his legacy isn't just about what he's done in the past. It's also extended by moments like the one against Uzbekistan: cool-headed, instinctive, and refusing to fade from the big stage.

Source: https://znews.vn/cancelo-nga-mu-truoc-ronaldo-post1662549.html