Ibrahimovic shades Ronaldo: ‘I thought he never left’ after Portugal’s 5-0 win
On June 24, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in a World Cup 2026 match at Houston Stadium. After his second goal, Ronaldo told reporters, “I’m back,” and repeated the phrase as he left the pitch. The comment came after he faced criticism for failing to score in Portugal’s opening group match against DR Congo, which ended 1-1. Responding to Ronaldo’s remark, former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović told Fox Sports, “I thought he never left—I don’t know why he says ‘I’m back.’”
The exchange highlights the ongoing banter between two of football’s most iconic veterans and shows how veteran players use performance to answer critics. For Nigerian football fans, the moment underscores that age does not necessarily diminish impact on the world stage, offering a talking point for debates about longevity in sport and how athletes handle public scrutiny.
What do you think: Should veteran athletes let their performance do the talking, or is it acceptable to fire back at critics with statements like Ronaldo’s?