 Ronaldo was all smiles after his two goals against Japan |
Ronaldo revealed that patience was the key after his double led to a 4-1 win over Japan and set up a second-round tie against Ghana on Tuesday. He was criticised after Brazil's first two games before he joined Gerd Muller as the highest scorer in World Cup history on Thursday with a tally of 14.
He said: "I'm happy I've made such a significant improvement, physically and technically, during the competition.
"Patience is the key word. I managed to stay calm and patient."
The 29-year-old got off the mark on the stroke of half-time with a header to cancel out Keiji Tamada's earlier effort for Japan.
And Ronaldo's second strike, which saw him curl the ball past Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi in the Japanese goalmouth, was even more impressive.
Despite the Real Madrid player's timely return to form, national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he was still some way off his best form.
"Ronaldo is not in the best possible physical shape but step by step and little by little he is getting there," said Parreira.
"I'm sure he will be better as each game goes."
Parreira, who had looked glum-faced before Ronaldo's first goal, paid tribute to his players saying they were "deserving winners" after having "about 25 shots blocked".
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