Cristiano Ronaldo called out for celebrating goal that 'he didn't even touch'

Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed for celebrating a goal that wasn't his during Portugal's World Cup game against Uruguay.

The confusing moment unfolded in the 54th minute as midfielder Bruno Fernandes kicked the spectacular goal during Monday (November 28) night’s match.

However, Ronaldo timed it perfectly as it looked like he had hit it with his head.

As soon as the ball found the back of the net, Ronaldo began cheering as he gleefully ran to his teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he’d scored his ninth #FIFAWorldCup goal.

Bruno Fernandes was awarded with it. And he got a second later and Portugal cruise into the Round of 16.#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/JgAt2AhrcY

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 29, 2022

But officials credited the goal to Fernandes while revealing Ronaldo hadn’t even touched the ball.

Portugal has secured qualification to the knockout stages of the tournament, however, many were quick to slam the Manchester United footballer for trying to claim the goal was his.

One person wrote on Twitter: “I've never seen a more shameless player than Cristiano Ronaldo, mf really tried to steal bruno's goal.”

Another said: “Set a new #FIFAWorldCup2022 record, he's the first player to steal a goal scored by teammate!”

A third person commented: “I’ll do everything within my power to make sure that fraud @Cristiano doesn’t score. He was trying to steal a goal from Bruno. Shame.”

While another user shared: “Ronaldo fans would shamelessly fail to admit that he didn’t even touch that ball. That’s clearly Bruno’s goal."

I've never seen a more shameless player than Cristiano Ronaldo, mf really tried to steal bruno's goal

— 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣🇦🇷🇺🇾 (@Azeemlfc) November 28, 2022

#CristianoRonaldo
Set a new #FIFAWorldCup2022 record, he's the first player to steal a goal scored by teammate!
🐐 pic.twitter.com/Ua3VZXSIqc

— Qatar4Messi 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 (@climax_world) November 28, 2022

I’ll do everything within my power to make sure that fraud @Cristiano doesn’t score
He was trying to steal a goal from Bruno
Shame

— Beno SarkCess (@BenopaOnyx1) November 28, 2022

However, the criticism might even just be the thing to light a fire in the 37-year-old’s belly, who has teased that this could be his last World Cup.

According to Fernandes, Ronaldo plays his best when he’s under pressure - so it’s likely this scandal won’t phase the footballer in the slightest.

"I think he likes to work under that criticism from everyone, so I pray all of you to keep doing that because he gets the best of himself when you guys do that," Fernandes said, according to ESPN.

He humbly added: "It was a dream come true to play with him in the national team and in the club also, and that is something amazing.

"I still share the space with him in the national team and the main thing for me is that Portugal does the best we can in the tournament because if we do it, Cristiano will be happy, I will be happy and everyone in Portugal will be happy for us."