Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he has nothing to prove after his remarkable hat trick for Portugal against Sweden sent his side to the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
The match in Sweden lived up to the hype, with the visitors running our 3-2 victors to secure an overall 4-2 win. As predicted, Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the stars of the show, with the Real Madrid man edging out his rival in the end.
His three goals means he overtakes Pauleta’s record for Portugal – adding another achievement for the 28-year-old in ever increasing list of records broken. But after the match he played down the significance of that, saying he just wants his country to do well.
Speaking to Publico, Ronaldo stated: “Records are there to be beaten. It was not a priority. I knew that Portugal needed me. I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I try to do my work and give answers on the pitch.
“I did my job for my team. It is the team who have to be congratulated. We suffered for sure but that is how great teams win things. We retreated a little [when Sweden scored], but then we were better and we played better.”
He also downplayed the media attention on him and Ibrahimovic, telling the press that the PSG striker is a “fantastic player”. He added: “I do not compete against him. I play for my team.”
