Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan immediately sparked strong reactions from former teammates and Premier League legends, with several high-profile voices rushing to praise the 41-year-old forward.
Rio Ferdinand highlighted Ronaldo’s mentality, pointing to how he continues to deliver on the biggest stages despite constant criticism about his age and longevity. Gary Neville also reacted to the performance, praising Ronaldo’s ability to “respond when the pressure is highest,” especially after the noise following Portugal’s opening match.
The reaction from former Manchester United figures reflected a wider sentiment in football circles — that even at 41, Ronaldo is still producing decisive performances in major tournaments. His brace, combined with a historic World Cup record, quickly became one of the standout talking points of the tournament so far, especially among English pundits who have followed his career closely for over a decade.
