FIFA World Cup 2026: Gavi praises Cristiano Ronaldo as "one of the best in history" ahead of Portugal's Round of 16 clash
Dallas, July 5
Barcelona star Gavi has backed and praised Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that much of the criticism he hears comes from fans rather than players who have actually shared a dressing room with him.
The FC Barcelona midfielder emphasised that Ronaldo is widely respected within the game, calling him one of the greatest footballers in history and highlighting his ability to influence any match at any moment.
"I always hear that, but from people who are not on his team, from fans. Those who are on his team will have magnificent respect for him. Obviously, Cristiano is one of the best players in history, and he can make the difference at any moment," the Barcelona midfielder stated as per Goal.com.
Ronaldo will be next seen in action against Spain in his side's FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash. Against Croatia in the round of 32, Ronaldo became the first player in history to feature in a FIFA World Cup knockout match at the age of 41 or older.
The match also marked a unique milestone, as it was the first in World Cup history to feature two outfield players aged 40 or above, with Ronaldo facing former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.
The appearance also saw Ronaldo extend another record, as he became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days. This was also his first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout goal, removing a massive stain from his illustrious career.
Portugal started off with a dull 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the group stage, with Cristiano failing to make an impact and inviting a lot of criticism with his poor performance.
During the match against Uzbekistan, a 5-0 win, Ronaldo led Portugal's charge with two goals, while Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also found the net.
Ronaldo's brace saw him become Portugal's all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history, taking his tally to 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio's record of nine. Eusebio, a Portuguese legend and 1965 Ballon d'Or winner, famously guided the team to third place at the 1966 World Cup. Behind Ronaldo and Eusebio, Pauleta is third on Portugal's World Cup scoring list with four goals.
Ronaldo also became the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, ending his 10-match goalless streak across major competitions (the FIFA World Cup and the Euro Championship).
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a football fan from the US, I've watched Ronaldo his whole career. The criticism is overblown — he's still a game-changer. Gavi's comments reflect what real pros think. Love seeing young players appreciate the legends.
I grew up watching Messi, but even I have to admit Ronaldo's longevity is insane. First to score in six World Cups? That's not just luck — that's pure dedication and hard work. Gavi is spot on. Respect where it's due! 🌟
I get that Ronaldo is a legend, but let's be real — his group stage performance against DR Congo was underwhelming. The criticism was fair at that point. But he bounced back brilliantly against Uzbekistan. That's what champions do. Gavi is right to praise him, but the criticism wasn't all from 'fans who don't know football.'
I've been following football in Australia for years. Ronaldo's work ethic is unmatched. Breaking Eusebio's record at his age — that's iconic. Gavi is a class act for speaking up. Can't wait for Spain vs Portugal! 🏆
Yeh Gavi ka statement bahut sahi hai! Ronaldo ko underestimate karna ab aadat ban gaya hai. Player hi jaanta hai ki dressing room mein kya hota hai. Fans ko bas kuch bhi bolna hai. But Ronaldo's record speaks for itself — first knockout goal at 41? That's legendary stuff. 👏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.