Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, Maria Dolores, has publicly expressed her pride in her son's historic achievements at the 2026 World Cup, thanking fans for their unwavering support. The 41-year-old forward, widely believed to be competing in his final World Cup, has silenced critics with record-breaking performances for Portugal.
Record-Breaking Feats at the 2026 World Cup
Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, becoming the first man to score in six different World Cups. He also became Portugal's all-time top scorer at the tournament with 10 goals, surpassing the legendary Eusebio's nine goals from 1966. At 41 years and 138 days old, he is now the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history, trailing only Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days).
Portugal's Group Stage Performance
Portugal finished second in Group K after securing draws with DR Congo (1-1) and Colombia (0-0), alongside the emphatic win over Uzbekistan. This campaign set up a round of 32 clash against Croatia, scheduled for Friday, July 3 at midnight in Toronto.
Maria Dolores' Heartfelt Message
In an interview with FIFA, Maria Dolores said: "I'm proud that my son continues to make history. I want to thank all the fans that have been by your side. You've given so much to the world." She added: "A kiss to you, my son. Your mother is always here for you. I want to thank everyone for the respect that you have shown my son. I send kisses to Portugal and all the Portuguese fans! I hope football continues to bring people together. Go, Portugal! Kisses."
Ronaldo's Response to Critics
Ronaldo faced scrutiny after a slow start, including a labored 1-1 draw with DR Congo, while rivals like Lionel Messi and Vinicius Jr impressed early. However, after the Uzbekistan match, he declared: "I'm back!" He elaborated: "Only so they don't forget...23 years like this. I'm very happy but the most important thing is the work the team did and the confidence it gives us. Obviously personal records are always nice but my goal is always to help the team achieve its objectives." He also noted: "We had to get through many obstacles during the week but the team worked very well, we improved a lot. It's been a difficult week, a dark week without kicking a ball, but we dealt with it as we always do because we believe in our work. It was difficult, but we're back."
Looking Ahead
Portugal now faces Croatia in a knockout match that could determine Ronaldo's final World Cup journey. With his mother's support and a nation behind him, Ronaldo aims to continue making history.
