Ronaldo is back, so what?

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace against Uzbekistan relieved some pressure, but the World Cup still needs to see him make his mark against bigger opponents.

Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on the morning of June 24th.

Ronaldo once again made the football world talk about him. In the early hours of June 24th, he scored a brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, turning days of doubt into a true Ronaldo response: concise, cool, and delivered with goals.

At 41, Ronaldo is still scoring at the World Cup . That alone is special. Many players of his generation have retired, become coaches, commentators, or left the spotlight long ago. Ronaldo, however, is still there, still playing regularly, still making runs into the penalty area, and still knowing how to turn a moment into history.

The world's praise for him is understandable. A 41-year-old player scoring a brace at the World Cup is no ordinary feat. For Ronaldo, it's also a familiar way for him to regain control of the narrative surrounding himself.

But let me be clear: Uzbekistan is not the ultimate benchmark.

A brace relieves pressure on Ronaldo.

Before the match against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo faced considerable pressure. He was criticized after a performance that fell short of expectations. The old questions resurfaced: Should Ronaldo still be a starter? Is Portugal being too lenient with him? Is Roberto Martinez selecting his team based on technical ability or past glory?

Ronaldo didn't answer with words. He answered with two goals.

That's what's most admirable about Ronaldo. He might be doubted, ridiculed, or called past his prime, but he always has the ability to turn things around with a single touch in the penalty area. For many players, pressure diminishes them. For Ronaldo, pressure is sometimes like fuel.

The brace against Uzbekistan therefore had great psychological value. It relieved the pressure on Ronaldo, on coach Martinez, and on Portugal as a whole. After the disappointing draw earlier, the 5-0 victory helped the team regain the feeling of being a major contender.

Ronaldo relieves pressure after a period of questioning his role in the Portuguese national team.

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Ronaldo also got back what he needed most: goals.

A striker whose life is built on goals needs no lengthy excuses. When he scores, the debates subside. When he scores a brace, people talk again about records, legacy, and an undying ambition.

That's Ronaldo's special talent. He doesn't just score goals. He knows when to score, especially when the world starts to doubt him.

Uzbekistan is not the final answer.

However, praising Ronaldo doesn't mean ignoring the context. Uzbekistan lost 0-5 to Portugal. They weren't opponents of the same caliber. They weren't strong enough to suffocate Portugal for 90 minutes, nor did they possess the mental fortitude to truly force Ronaldo to perform under such extreme circumstances.

In other words, Ronaldo did what he had to do against such an opponent.

That wasn't criticism. That's the standard for a legend. For Ronaldo, scoring against Uzbekistan was a relief. But if he wants to prove he can still lead Portugal further, he needs more than a brace against a weaker team.

The World Cup isn't decided by 5-0 victories like this. It's decided when the opponent is a more experienced, faster, more resilient defense that isn't prone to making mistakes in the penalty area. That's where Ronaldo has to continue to answer.

The interesting part of the story is this: Ronaldo silenced his critics, but didn't completely eliminate them. A good game might ease the immediate pressure, but it's not enough to erase all doubts about his age, pace, and role in the Portuguese system.

Ronaldo is back. Okay. But where exactly is he back to?

Ronaldo's brace against Uzbekistan earned him praise, but a greater challenge still lies ahead.

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Returning to score against Uzbekistan is one thing. Returning to make a difference in the knockout round is another story. Top-level football isn't just about whether a player can still score goals. It's about whether he can score when the team needs him most, against the strongest opponent, and at the most difficult moment.

Ronaldo understands that better than anyone. His career was built on nights like these.

Therefore, the brace against Uzbekistan should be recognized appropriately. It's commendable. Impressive. It deserves a standing ovation from the football world for a 41-year-old player who still refuses to leave the big stage.

But don't start the party too soon either.

Ronaldo has unleashed his power. Ronaldo has responded. Ronaldo has reminded the world that he is still here. Now it's time for him to prove something harder: that he's not just back to be celebrated after an easy win, but that he has what it takes to make Portugal believe in him when the World Cup truly enters its most challenging phase.

Source: https://znews.vn/ronaldo-da-tro-lai-roi-sao-post1662609.html