Cristiano Ronaldo he was happy to talk about records, criticism and emphatic response of Portugal against Uzbekistan. He was much less interested when the conversation turned to Lionel Messi.The Portugal captain produced one of the standout performances of the World Cup so far on Tuesday night, scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan that transformed Portugal’s position in Group K and added several more milestones to his remarkable career.After a difficult opening match against DR Congo, where Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw and Ronaldo faced criticism for failing to convert key chances, the 41-year-old responded with a record display in Houston.His first goal came after just six minutes when he headed João Cancelo’s low cross past goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, becoming the first player in football history to score in six World Cup tournaments.His second, scored just before half-time after a perfectly timed run onto a Bruno Fernandes ball, took him to 10 World Cup goals for Portugal and allowed him to surpass Eusébio’s long-standing national record of nine which had stood since 1966.After the match, Ronaldo looked as relieved as he was happy.After seeing a television camera, he shouted “I’m back”, a message that appeared to be aimed at those who had questioned his form and Portugal’s prospects after the opening game.Speaking afterwards, Ronaldo admitted that the previous week had not been easy.“It was a difficult and dark week. I felt that I was already retired from football. But I held on, as always, because I believe in work more than anything else.”Asked about his “I’m back” comment, Ronaldo added: “Yes, because people don’t forget.”On his performance, the veteran said: “They said I should retire… but I’m here.“The noise from outside is still like that, but we can’t control it. Let’s move on and be united.”The veteran striker suggested that the scrutiny extended beyond his performance against DR Congo, with reports circulating of alleged tensions in the Portugal camp.“I knew that my teammates would also help me. It was difficult, I have to admit, but we are back. I am very happy.”Ronaldo has also been asked to become the first footballer to score in six World Cups, a record which he adds to a list of achievements which already includes being the leading goalscorer in international football of all time.“Records are always nice to break, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. The most important thing was the work of the team and the confidence we had.”At 41 years and 138 days old, Ronaldo is now the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla, as well as the oldest outfield player to ever start a World Cup match. His latest appearance also marked his sixth World Cup tournament, where he has now scored in every edition, a Guinness World Record as the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups.However, the mood changed when a reporter tried to question Messi.During the interview in the mixed zone, a Spanish-speaking journalist began to ask a question about Messi’s latest World Cup exploits and appeared ready to refer to the Argentina captain and Kylian Mbappé before Ronaldo abruptly ended the exchange.Rather than allow the question to continue, Ronaldo turned, pointed to another reporter and invited them to ask his question instead.The reporter never finished.Later, when another reporter asked if he could ask a question, Ronaldo offered a blunt answer.“That depends on the question, otherwise I won’t answer you.”Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, entered the day as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals from two games and recently became the top scorer in men’s World Cup history. Yet Ronaldo showed little interest in discussing his long-time rival on a night that belonged to Portugal.The only occasion he briefly entertained the subject came when he was asked about the possibility of facing Argentina later in the tournament.“I don’t know what to answer. It’s a question that doesn’t make much sense. But, well, it would be the top.”For now, Ronaldo’s focus remains firmly on Portugal’s journey.Victory over Uzbekistan moved Roberto MartÃnez’s side within four points and left them in a strong position ahead of a decisive Group K final meeting with Colombia. If Portugal win, they will secure top spot in the group and carry important momentum into the knockout rounds.After what Ronaldo described as a “dark week”, the conversation that seemed most interested was not about Messi, Mbappé or any other rival. It was about the answer of Portugal, and its own memory that remains able to form the biggest football tournament.