Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts To Journalist's Lionel Messi Question, Star Portugal Player Says, ' I Don't Care About Others ...' (Watch Video)
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, vehemently rejected questions about rival Lionel Messi after scoring a brace in Portugal's 5-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 victory over Uzbekistan on June 23, 2026. The historic goal-scorer cut off reporters in the mixed zone, emphasizing his focus on Portugal's campaign. Meanwhile, Messi, 39, continues his record-breaking World Cup run.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was in no mood to entertain comparisons with Lionel Messi following his two-goal performance in Portugal's resounding 5-0 triumph over Uzbekistan in Group K of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 41-year-old forward, who created history by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups, explicitly cut off reporters attempting to draw parallels with his Argentine counterpart during post-match interactions at Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Donald Trump To Present FIFA World Cup Trophy With Gianni Infantino at 2026 Final.
Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts To Question About Lionel Messi
🎙️ Journaliste : « Lionel Messi a mis un triplé hier… »
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo : « J’en ai rien à faire des autres…
Kylian Mbappé a aussi mis un but. »
CR7 a ensuite quitté la zone-mixte après la tentative de ce journaliste. pic.twitter.com/bsGsQovDtT
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) June 23, 2026
The incident, which has since gone viral, saw Ronaldo either directly interrupting questions about Messi or stating that such inquiries "didn't make sense." His firm stance underscored the intense rivalry that continues to define their careers, even as both footballing titans near the twilight of their playing days.
Ronaldo's Resurgent Performance and Post-Match Snub
Ronaldo's brace against Uzbekistan, which saw him score in the 37th and 65th minutes, was a crucial response after a disappointing goalless draw in Portugal's opening Group K fixture against DR Congo. The goals also elevated his World Cup tally to 10, surpassing the legendary Eusébio (who had nine goals) as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Portugal's dominant performance has placed them in a strong position in Group K ahead of their decisive final group stage meeting with Colombia.
However, the jubilant mood quickly shifted when reporters in the mixed zone broached the subject of Messi. One journalist began, 'Yesterday, Lionel Messi scored two goals, [Kylian] Mbappé...' before Ronaldo swiftly interjected with a terse 'I couldn't care less about the others... Mbappé also scored...'. On another occasion, when asked about the possibility of facing Argentina later in the tournament, Ronaldo remarked, "I don't know what to answer. It's a question that doesn't make much sense."
Lionel Messi's World Cup Form
Messi, who celebrates his 39th birthday today, June 24, 2026, has been in scintillating form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Argentina captain has netted five goals in two matches, including a hat-trick in their opener against Algeria and a brace in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. His prolific scoring has also seen him become the all-time leading goalscorer in men's World Cup history, with 18 goals to his name, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record of 16.
Key Performances at FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage
| Player | Team | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Noteworthy Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 2 | 2 | First player to score in 6 World Cups, Portugal's WC top scorer |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 2 | 5 | All-time leading scorer in Men's World Cup history (18 goals) |
Both legends continue to command headlines with their performances, proving that their rivalry and pursuit of greatness remain as compelling as ever on the world stage, despite their advanced footballing years. As the tournament progresses, the football world will keenly watch if the two icons cross paths, potentially setting up an epic encounter that fans have long dreamed of.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2026 10:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
