Barcelona midfielder Gavi has praised Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him "one of the best players in history" and dismissing criticism from fans as unfounded. The remarks come ahead of Portugal's round of 16 clash against Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Gavi Defends Ronaldo Against Criticism
Speaking to Goal.com, Gavi said the criticism of Ronaldo often comes from fans, not from teammates who have shared a dressing room with him. "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 star stated.
Ronaldo's Historic World Cup Milestones
Ronaldo made history in Portugal's round of 32 match against Croatia, becoming the first player to feature in a World Cup knockout match at the age of 41 or older. The match also set a unique milestone as the first World Cup game to feature two outfield players aged 40 or above, with Ronaldo facing former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.
Ronaldo further extended his record by becoming the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days. This goal was his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, removing a significant stain from his illustrious career.
Portugal's Journey to the Knockout Stage
Portugal began their campaign with a dull 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the group stage, where Ronaldo failed to make an impact and faced criticism. However, in the following match against Uzbekistan, Portugal secured a 5-0 victory, with Ronaldo scoring a brace. Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also found the net.
Ronaldo's two goals against Uzbekistan made him Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, with 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio's record of nine. Eusebio, a Portuguese legend and 1965 Ballon d'Or winner, led Portugal to third place at the 1966 World Cup. Pauleta ranks third on Portugal's World Cup scoring list with four goals.
Record-Breaking Feats Across Tournaments
Ronaldo also became the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, ending a 10-match goalless streak across major competitions (World Cup and European Championship).
Portugal now faces Spain in the round of 16, with Ronaldo aiming to continue his historic run.
