Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his fitness and enthusiasm as he prepares for his historic sixth FIFA World Cup.
The captain of Portugal participated in both warm-up victories over Chile and Nigeria, although he was unable to find the net.
Before heading to the United States on Friday afternoon, Ronaldo, 41, responded to inquiries about his fitness with a touch of humor: “Physically? I’m fine — have you not seen my matches?”
Ronaldo also indicated satisfaction with his team’s preparations for the World Cup. “It has been a good, albeit tiring, process as we’ve worked hard,” he said.
“We’ve held the advantage in our matches, but what truly counts is when the game kicks off on the 17th. When the pressure mounts, that’s when we’ll witness the true champions.”
Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances (227) and goals (143) in men’s international soccer. He aims to secure the one significant trophy that has eluded him in his illustrious career.
When asked if Portugal is a contender for the World Cup, Ronaldo stated, “We’ll only find out at the end.” He added, “We’re looking forward to it; we know the World Cup is always a unique tournament, similar to the European Championship, so we’re approaching it with hope.”
Portugal has yet to win the World Cup, with their best finish being third place in 1966. However, they boast one of the tournament’s strongest squads. Bruno Fernandes had a stellar season with Manchester United, setting the Premier League record with 21 assists in a single season and being named the league’s best player.
Portugal also features four players — Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, and Gonçalo Ramos — who were instrumental in helping Paris Saint-Germain clinch the Ligue 1 title and the UEFA Champions League title.
Ronaldo acknowledged, “We have a very talented generation of players, but there are elements beyond our control, such as the outcomes of the matches. Winning is the paramount concern.” He expressed confidence that this generation will bring immense joy to the Portuguese people.
Having secured the Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr this season, Ronaldo emphasized the necessity of a strong start.
Portugal’s World Cup journey begins against Congo on June 17 in Group K, followed by matches against Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28.
“The key is to start strong and top our group,” he said. “Then, we’ll take it one game at a time, maintaining a calm approach, building confidence, and finding our rhythm. Many factors will influence our performance, but I am very optimistic about our prospects.”