Ronaldo: My career speaks for itself, I have nothing to prove
Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at critics who suggested that Portugal were perhaps a better team without him in the starting XI.
Last week, Portugal were excellent as they defeated Croatia 4-1 in the Nations League, prompting suggestions that perhaps they performed as a better unit without Ronaldo up top.
However, he silences those critics emphatically on Tuesday when he scored two goals in a 2-0 defeat of Sweden after starting for Portugal fo the first time this year.
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He reached and then surpassed a century of goals for Portugal - a feat for a national side which has only been accomplished by one other player, Ali Daei of Iran.
With another career milestone reached, he says he has nothing to prove, to anyone.
"I didn't follow the comments. It's an opinion," he said with regards to suggestions Portugal performed better without him.
"I knew I had left a mark at this stadium and I knew that, if I played, I would leave a mark again. I don't care about provocations.
"What I have done in my career speaks for itself. No, I have to prove nothing to anyone, and when I have to prove it, I show it on the pitch."
Ronaldo is naturally delighted at having reached 100 goals for his country, but diplomatically said the most important thing was the win for Portugal.
"I am very happy. Firstly, because the team won, which was the goal we had. Then the 100 mark and then the 101, with two goals, makes me very happy," he continued.
"Now the future is only for God. I feel good, I feel good for playing with these young players."
Portugal have won their last two Nations League matches against Croatia and Sweden and are now top of Group 3 in League A in goal difference ahead of France. They take on Les Bleus in October.