Gavi Defends Cristiano Ronaldo Amid Criticism Ahead of World Cup Clash

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo, emphasizing the respect he commands among players. As Ronaldo prepares for a crucial World Cup match against Spain, he has already made history by becoming the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history. Despite facing criticism after a lackluster start in the tournament, Ronaldo rebounded with a stellar performance against Uzbekistan, solidifying his status as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Discover more about Ronaldo's remarkable journey and the milestones he continues to achieve.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 23:38 IST

Barcelona's Gavi Stands Up for Ronaldo

In a recent statement, Gavi, the FC Barcelona midfielder, expressed his support for Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese footballer. He noted that much of the negative feedback Ronaldo receives often comes from fans rather than fellow players who have shared the pitch with him.

Gavi highlighted Ronaldo's immense respect within the football community, labeling him as one of the greatest players of all time and emphasizing his capacity to change the outcome of a game at any moment.

He remarked, "I often hear criticism, but it's from those who aren't on his team. Those who play alongside him hold him in high regard. Clearly, Cristiano is among the best in history, capable of making a significant impact at any time," as reported by a sports news outlet.

Ronaldo is set to face Spain in the upcoming round of 16 match in the FIFA World Cup. In the previous round against Croatia, he made history by becoming the first player to participate in a World Cup knockout match at the age of 41 or older.

This match was also notable as it featured two outfield players over the age of 40, with Ronaldo going up against his former Real Madrid teammate, Luka Modric.

Additionally, Ronaldo achieved another milestone by becoming the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days. This goal marked his first in a World Cup knockout stage, alleviating a significant blemish from his illustrious career.

Portugal's journey began with a lackluster 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the group stage, where Ronaldo's performance drew criticism for not making a notable impact.

However, he bounced back in the match against Uzbekistan, leading Portugal to a 5-0 victory with two goals, while teammates Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also contributed to the scoreline.

With this brace, Ronaldo became Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, reaching a total of 10 goals and surpassing Eusebio's previous record of nine. Eusebio, a legendary figure in Portuguese football and the 1965 Ballon d'Or winner, famously led the team to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup. Pauleta follows Ronaldo and Eusebio on the scoring list with four World Cup goals.

Moreover, Ronaldo made history by being the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups, breaking a 10-match goalless streak in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the Euro Championship.