After latest milestone, Ronaldo eyes World Cup glory
Doha (Qatar (AP): Another game, another personal milestone.
For all the turmoil that has surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of what is likely to be his final World Cup, the Portugal great continues make his mark.
On Thursday he became the first man to score in five World Cups. Earlier this season he registered the 700th club goal of his career.
Not bad for a 37-year-old, who doesn't know where he will be playing beyond Qatar after having his Manchester United contract terminated in the wake of his incendiary interview criticizing manager Erik ten Hag and the club's owners.
A win against Uruguay on Monday would secure Portugal's qualification from Group H to the knockout stages with a game to spare after its opening 3-2 win against Ghana.
"This is just the beginning," Ronaldo said in an Instagram post, adding that "there are no impossibilities."
But if soccer's ultimate numbers man is to achieve his ambition of lifting the one major trophy that eludes him, he cannot do it by himself.
That much was clear against Ghana, when Portugal also needed goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao to hold on for victory.
Felix is the likeliest heir to Ronaldo's throne as Portugal's inspiration-in-chief and has even been linked with a potential move to United.
If Qatar is Ronaldo's last World Cup dance, the moves are not quite as fluid as they once were.
His goal against Ghana came from the penalty spot, rather than a moment of the type of individual brilliance on which his career has been built.
That being said, FIFA Technical Study Group member Sunday Oliseh still described as "total genius" his ability to win a disputed foul from Mohammed Salisu that Ghana coach Otto Addo insisted should not have been awarded.
Ronaldo's celebrations suggested he does not care where the goals come from, so long as they keep on coming. But Portugal cannot solely rely on such moments and amid the noise that surrounds its most celebrated player, it can be forgotten how much talent coach Fernando Santos has at his disposal.
Not least Atletico Madrid forward Felix, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City.
"A selection with the quality of ours has to be favorite in any game," said Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos ahead of Uruguay at the Lusail Stadium. "It's important to win the second game now."
Uruguay drew 0-0 with South Korea in its first game of the tournament.
Like Portugal, Uruguay is blending the old and the new. Ronaldo's long-time rival from their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, Luis Suarez, is in an attack that also features the country's new generation of talent in Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri.
At 35, Suarez is no longer the force he once was and he was substituted just after the hour against South Korea. Another 35-year-old in Edinson Cavani replaced him, but Uruguay still couldn't find a goal.
Ghana exposed vulnerabilities in Portugal's defense but Uruguay will need to be much more clinical if it is to capitalise on Monday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
I hope football has bright future in India: Messi after "amazing" tour
New Delhi (PTI): Lionel Messi hoped that football has a "bright future" in India and expressed gratitude for the "generous hospitality" that he got here during a whirlwind three-day tour, which had thousands of fans jostling to catch a glimpse of the Argentine genius in four different cities.
Messi, after extending his stay by a day to visit the Anant Ambani-founded Vantara wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre in Jamnagar, left for his base in Miami on Wednesday.
Taking to Instagram, the 38-year-old posted a one-minute highlights clip of the tour, featuring his interactions with Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan and several young footballers.
ALSO READ: Meeting Messi a dream and a duty, his art my antidote when I'm sad: Chhetri
"What amazing visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Thank you for the warm reception, generous hospitality, and all the feelings of love with which you surrounded me throughout my tour.
"I hope that football has a bright future in India," he wrote underneath the video.
His good wishes come at a time when Indian football finds itself at its lowest ebb.
The domestic season has been brought to a halt for the want of a commercial partner and the national team's fortunes have been in a free-fall following a string of poor results.
An ongoing court case over administrative issues has further deepened policy paralysis.
The superstar striker, who is among the most recognisable and adored sportspersons in the world, did not play any competitive football during the trip.
He was accompanied by Uruguay great and close friend Luis Suarez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo de Paul during the tour.
Messi made stadium appearances for ticketed events in all the four cities starting with Kolkata, where things turned ugly after politicians and officials surrounded him, denying fans, who had paid thousands for a seat, a clear view of the icon.
Agitated by this, the gathered spectators indulged in vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, prompting Messi to be whisked away sooner than the originally planned time.
However, his visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi passed off smoothly as he charmed fans by posing for pictures and showcasing some of his warm-up routines besides playing briefly with young players.
"...we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India," he said after the final leg of the tour in Delhi.
