Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on the criticism directed at both himself and the national team, admitting it has been a difficult period for the squad.

The Portuguese side secured their first win in Group K after they recorded a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Ronaldo finally opened his account at the World Cup after netting a double to help his side secure the win and all three points.

The veteran superstar revealed that the past week had been especially challenging, with intense scrutiny from the public and media, particularly towards head coach Roberto Martinez, but insisted that such criticism is something he has grown accustomed to during his remarkable career.

“I can say it was a very tough week, a difficult week, a week in which public opinion was very harsh on us, on all the players, especially on the coach,” Ronaldo said afterwards.

“But it’s always like that, it’s fine because when you think about it, it’s already 23 years I’ve been a professional and whenever things don’t go well it’s, ‘Cristiano, he’s finished, he’s old’.”