Cristiano Ronaldo is adored by his Portugal teammates – it’s a total myth that he is not well liked by the squad.
That’s the view of broadcaster Piers Morgan, who has waxed lyrical over the 41-year-old following his double in his side’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
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Ronaldo created World Cup history with his sixth-minute strike in Portugal’s second clash in Group K.
What World Cup history did Cristiano Ronaldo create against Uzbekistan?
After firing home from close range, the Al Nassr striker has become the first player to score in six editions of the global tournament.
He has now found the back of the net in every World Cup he has played in since he made his competition debut in Germany 20 years ago.
His strike also ended a ten-match goalless run at major tournaments, his last goal being Portugal’s opener against Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ronaldo, who endured an unwanted World Cup first in his side’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo, then doubled his tally shortly before half-time to write himself into the record books once more.
In doing so, he has become Portugal’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup – overtaking Eusebio – who scored on nine occasions in 1966.
Morgan even won a £5,000 charity bet – gifted to Scotty’s Little Soldiers – which provides support for bereaved military children after eSPORTY’s Rory Jennings confidently stated that Ronaldo would not score in North America.
Taking to X to show he is a man of his word, Jennings uploaded a screenshot of his bet receipt, captioning the post: “Feeling a lot lighter in the pocket this morning thanks to Piers Morgan and Cristiano Ronaldo, but pleased to have supported an incredible cause.”
What did Piers Morgan say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
Arsenal fan Morgan – a firm supporter of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – appeared on the eSPORTY World Cup Breakfast Show on Wednesday to discuss all things Ronaldo.
And he took instant umbrage to co-host Andy Goldstein’s claim that he likes Ronaldo more than his own Portugal teammates.
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Goldstein said: “[From the] first game and the way he was in that, you got the feeling that all his teammates are not as big a fan of him as you are.”
Interjecting, Morgan then remarked: “I don’t agree. No, no, I think you’re totally wrong about that. Honestly.”
In reply, Goldstein then stated: “Why do you think the majority of football fans were questioning whether or not it’s good for Portugal if he starts? There must be a reason why they’re asking that.”
It was then the turn of ex-Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor to chip in with his two cents, as he said: “I have heard though that the players do really like him.
“I promise you, I swear on my kids, I’ve heard that, they love him.”
Coming to the defence of Ronaldo yet again, Morgan then stressed: “This whole thing about Ronaldo being unpopular in dressing rooms, honestly, it’s a complete myth.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup record
2006: One goal in six appearances
2010: One goal in four appearances
2014: One goal in three appearances
2018: Five goals in four appearances
2022: One goal in five appearances
2026: Two goals in two appearances
Total: 10 goals in 24 appearances
“The guy was loved when he was in Portugal [at Sporting Lisbon], he was loved in the [Manchester] United dressing room.
“He was loved in the Juventus dressing room, loved in the Real Madrid dressing room, they love him in Saudi, this is a guy who is a team player.”
Biting back, Goldstein then stressed that he is not picked on his form – despite firing Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League with 30 goals across all competitions in the 2025/26 season – while also being Portugal’s top scorer in World Cup qualifying with five strikes from as many games.
Ronaldo has also fired in 27 goals from 34 matches since Roberto Martinez took charge in 2023.
Hinting he has too much power, Goldstein said: “Yeah, but he’s not picked on form, if there was a World Cup in four years’ time and he wants to play in it, he’ll play in it.”
To which Morgan responded by saying: “No, I totally disagree, look at how many goals he scored in qualifying!
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“You guys look at this, you look at Ronaldo through a completely different lens to reality, the issue with Ronaldo is not that he’s 41 or washed up or anything else.
“Look at the goals, purely look at the goals he scores for Portugal, he has scored more goals for Portugal, I think he’s scored more goals generally since he turned 30 than he did before.
“And we know that he was a lot quicker before 30 and so on, he has reinvented himself as a different kind of player.”
Ronaldo and Portugal will now turn their attention to their final group match against Colombia at the weekend as they look to leapfrog the South American nation into top spot.
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