‘I thought he never left?’ — Zlatan Mocks Ronaldo’s ‘I’m Back’ as England Watch On

Zlatan Ibrahimovic couldn’t resist. After Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and delivered his now-famous ‘I’m back’ message to the cameras during Portugal’s 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan, the Swede fired back: ‘I thought he never left?’ The jab between two of football’s loudest egos has the world grinning — while Thomas Tuchel’s England stay locked in on World Cup 2026 glory.

Zlatan mocks Ronaldo’s ‘I’m back’ declaration

Zlatan Ibrahimovic mocked Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal icon declared ‘I’m back’ to the cameras following his brace against Uzbekistan. ‘I thought he never left?’ the Swede quipped, questioning why the Al-Nassr forward felt the need to announce a return that, in his view, never happened.

At 41, Ronaldo is playing in his record sixth World Cup. His two goals against Uzbekistan reignited the never-ending debate over his supposed decline. Zlatan’s dig, from a man who has built a career on one-liners, only adds fuel to a long-standing rivalry between two of the game’s biggest personalities.

Portugal crush Uzbekistan 5-0

Portugal dominated Uzbekistan 5-0, with Ronaldo scoring twice to reassert his role as the team’s attacking talisman. The emphatic win installs the Seleção among the tournament favourites and showcases genuine squad depth.

Beyond Ronaldo, Portugal’s collective looked sharp and ruthless. It is exactly the kind of opponent England will need to study closely should the two nations meet in the knockout rounds of World Cup 2026.

England’s view: Tuchel’s men keep their cool

For England, this clash of egos between Zlatan and Ronaldo is a reminder that at World Cup 2026, mentality matters as much as talent. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions prefer to let their football do the talking, with eyes fixed firmly on the trophy.

With Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge, England know they may have to overcome powerhouses like Portugal along the way. The English approach is clear: fewer headlines, more results — and a hunger to finally end the long wait for World Cup glory.

FAQ