
``We're home! We're back!'' Cristiano Ronaldo's joy, or even more than joy, echoed through NRG Stadium. His World Cup has begun. Ronaldo's shout came out in an interview after he scored two goals as Portugal's captain in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. \n\n``It's about not being forgotten, because I don't want to be forgotten,'' he told Portugal's Sports TV. "We had a difficult, dark week, we didn't do well in the first game against DR Congo," he continued. \n\n265 miles away in Arlington, Portugal played their second game in the house, a day after his rival Lionel Messi scored a one-goal performance, including two in a 3-1 victory over Austria. \n\nI had the rare experience of being able to watch Messi and Ronaldo, two of modern soccer's biggest stars, at the same World Cup. Messi's match, in which his Argentina national team played against Austria, took place at AT&T Stadium in Texas, USA. \n\nWhen we arrived at the stadium about two hours before the match, almost all of the spectators were wearing Argentina's white and light blue jerseys, with the majority of fans wearing shirts with Messi's number 10 on them. They entered the stadium in what felt like a religious ceremony, with songs of praise for Messi and the late Diego Maradona being sung. \n\nOnce the match started, the religious atmosphere became even more intense. When Messi appeared on the pitch, cheers erupted as his image was displayed on the big screen, recognizable anywhere in the stadium. It was more like worship than cheers. \n\nIn the 19th minute, Messi scores the long-awaited goal. Messi received a pass to Diabala, who was fouled, and tried to take a shot in front of the goal, but was blocked by a defender. However, Messi received the pass and took the shot without letting the ball hit the ground. \n\nAfter Messi scored that goal, something happened that seemed to shake his faith. Messi took his total to 18 goals in the World Cup, breaking Klose's record with his 19th goal against DR Congo, but Messi did not score in that match. Messi seemed to want to surpass Klose's goal count with 19. \n\nIn added time, Messi scored again. With Argentina leading 2-1, he sent a pass to substitute Alvarez and tried to score, but his attempt was blocked. However, when the ball hit the opposing goalkeeper and rolled toward the goal again, Messi was the first to react, running into the open space and scoring the goal. \n\nThis goal was the result of Messi's desire. A desire to break records and a desire for faith. He once again received a huge cheer. But the cheers were also meant to protect what he had gained. Although his position is unwavering, he was at least a little worried that his admirers would start to consider him inferior, which is why it was necessary for him to receive such loud cheers. \n\nRoughly at the same time as Messi, Ronaldo scored two goals against Uzbekistan. This was also a big win with a score of 5-0. Ronaldo, who is hungry for goals, did not imitate any of the members by pointing at them or hugging each other during the goal celebration in the first half, but appealed only to the fans in the stands. \n\nIn the post-match interview, Ronaldo said that the support of the fans is very important. "I want to do on the pitch what the supporters want," he said. What supporters want is goals to be scored and spectacular goal celebrations. \n\nIt was a day that showed that Messi and Ronaldo, two great players, are still showing their presence on the World Cup stage.
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