Ruptly
"Portuguese fans expressed strong confidence in their World Cup squad, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo, who could feature in his final global tournament this summer at the age of 41. Speaking at Sporting CP's Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on Friday, supporters still viewed Ronaldo as one of the team's key figures heading to North America. "Ronaldo, even at his age, will always have a fundamental role in the national team. [...] Ronaldo, I think that, even with everything he has already achieved in his career, he will still make his presence felt," shared Joao Crespo, a fan. "Ronaldo is Ronaldo, one of the best players in Portuguese football. He is a symbol, I think even better than Eusebio. And the proof is right here, my son is Sporting, which has great players and he wanted a Ronaldo jersey at three years old," another noted. Fans also dismissed scepticism surrounding the footballer, expressing confidence that he would make significant contributions rather than require the team to be built around him. "I don't think Portugal currently needs to play only for Ronaldo – that's a misconception. Because Cristiano Ronaldo, besides scoring goals, also contributes with assists, and the dedication and focus he brings to matches take the Portuguese team to another level," supporter Cesar Pinto insisted. Backers expressed optimism about Portugal's pursuit of a first World Cup title, highlighting the strength of a 'golden generation' featuring players established on the global stage. "We have one of the best full-backs in the world, and our midfield is also very consistent – one of the best we've ever had. [...] We have a lot of potential, and we are clearly one of the favourite teams to win," Crespo pointed out. Reigning Nations League champions Portugal will face the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K at the World Cup, where they are considered title contenders and are targeting the country's first-ever world crown. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico – the first tournament to be hosted by three countries and the first to feature 48 national teams."
Go to News Site