Cristiano Ronaldo is now focused on the World Cup and getting his team, Portugal, into the final.

Last week saw his explosive interview with journalist Piers Morgan divide opinion on the footballing superstar.

Is he selfish or frustrated? Should he be punished for saying he has no respect for the Manchester United coach, Eric ten Hag or was he simply being frank?

Last year he was Manchester United’s top goal scorer with 24 goals. Four months later, pundits are saying at 37 he is too old, he doesn’t press, he isn’t the future of the team, he must be satisfied to be a super sub.

Ronaldo has made it clear that he is a competitor who performs on the world’s greatest stages. He wants to play in the Champions League and win trophies – still.

Some say he must leave Manchester United and lower his expectations. He says he is focused on the World Cup and will address his club situation at the end of the year.

This World Cup gives him an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong, to demonstrate to one and all why he is the best at his craft. Portugal have a good team and he is at the fulcrum of it. He will not be a bit player here.

He has kept himself in remarkable condition and his abilities belies his age. Zlatan, Scholes, Giggs have all shown they could still perform at a high level well into their 30s. So why not Ronaldo?

One gets the impression he is a man who loves to prove the critics wrong and give them something to chew on. He will be out to prove a point.

Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos said: “Cristiano, like all the players I’ve called up, is hugely hungry to show his ability. Is Ronaldo hungrier because of the interview? Let’s wait and see.

“He’s always been hungry, that’s why he stayed at the top of football for so long.”

Santos has full faith in Ronaldo and has chosen him to lead Portugal to glory at this World Cup.

Ronaldo, the world’s top scorer with 818 goals, will be playing in his fifth World Cup. He is the Eusebio of his generation.

Portugal play Ghana on Thursday in their first game in the Qatar World Cup.

Don’t count Cristiano Ronaldo out just yet.

He shoots, he scores!