In a tense moment following Portugal's emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo chose to sidestep a question about Lionel Messi, curtly telling a reporter, "I'm not answering that."
This incident unfolded on Tuesday at Houston's NRG Stadium during the second matchday of Group K, as reported by Mundo Deportivo in their match coverage.
When a journalist pointed out that Messi had scored twice the previous day, the Portuguese striker diverted his gaze and completely ignored the query, instead signaling another journalist to ask a different question with a dismissive "go ahead, go ahead, go ahead."
Before moving on, Ronaldo issued a clear warning to all present: "It depends on the question; otherwise, I'm not answering."
Footage of the exchange quickly spread across social media and was picked up by global outlets, once again igniting discussions over the long-standing rivalry between these two iconic players.
The reaction was striking, especially as it occurred during one of Ronaldo's finest moments in this World Cup. By scoring twice against Uzbekistan—netting goals in the sixth and 39th minutes—the 41-year-old forward became the first player to score in six distinct World Cup tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
Moreover, with his 10th World Cup goal, Ronaldo surpassed the legendary Portuguese player Eusébio’s record of nine—a milestone that had stood for six decades—making him Portugal's all-time top scorer in the tournament.
This double was also a retort to his critics following a shaky start: in the 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ronaldo touched the ball only 29 times, failed to shoot, and extended his streak to 10 matches without a goal in major tournaments for his national team.
The context of the question was equally charged. On Monday, Messi became the all-time leading World Cup scorer by netting his 17th goal against Austria in Dallas, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had 16. This achievement was what the reporter attempted to bring up to Ronaldo.
The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has been a focal point for media and fans alike for over 15 years, despite both players often downplaying the rivalry's significance in public.
In a May interview, Messi stated, "We never had a relationship," but clarified that their interactions were "always good and respectful," describing the rivalry as a "beautiful sporting competition."
Portugal tops Group K with four points and will face Colombia on June 27th in their final group stage match, with advancement to the knockout stage almost assured.
Key Insights on Ronaldo and Messi's World Cup Rivalry
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo refuse to answer questions about Lionel Messi?
Ronaldo chose not to engage with questions about Messi, possibly to avoid reigniting the long-standing rivalry debate, especially during a momentous personal achievement in the World Cup.
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo break in the 2026 World Cup?
Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments and surpassed Eusébio's record, making him Portugal's all-time leading World Cup scorer.
How did Lionel Messi's performance impact the media's focus on his rivalry with Ronaldo?
Messi's record-breaking performance as the all-time leading World Cup scorer reignited media interest in comparing the two football legends, despite their personal attempts to downplay the rivalry.