Rooney Praises Ronaldo's Reaction: Two Goals in the World Cup at 41 is an Amazing Achievement

English football legend Wayne Rooney praised Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo following his outstanding performance in the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing that what the captain of the Portugal national team is achieving at this age is truly exceptional.

Rooney said in statements to the BBC following the second round of group stage matches: "Scoring two goals in the World Cup at the age of 41 is an amazing achievement. Cristiano didn't deliver his best performance, but that's his way." He added: "He has accepted some criticism, and this is his way of responding."

Rooney's praise came after Ronaldo successfully scored twice in the current tournament, contributing to boosting Portugal's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, despite the criticism he faced before the World Cup regarding his age and physical condition.

Ronaldo continues to make history in his sixth World Cup appearance, becoming the oldest player to score for the Portuguese national team in the global tournament. He also continues to enhance his record-breaking achievements on the international stage, once again demonstrating his ability to shine in major moments despite reaching the age of 41.

Rooney is known for his long-standing relationship with Ronaldo from their years together at Manchester United, where they formed one of the most prominent attacking duos in Europe, before each pursued their own career paths and became legends of the modern game.