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Football Insider

Portugal's Quest for World Cup Glory: Cristiano Ronaldo's Last Chance

Ricardo Quaresma is backing Cristiano Ronaldo to fulfill his dream of winning the World Cup as he gears up for his sixth appearance at the prestigious tournament. With high expectations and a talented squad, Portugal is determined to bring home the ultimate prize.

Portugal's Quest for World Cup Glory: Cristiano Ronaldo's Last Chance

Ricardo Quaresma is tipping Cristiano Ronaldo to get his hands on a long-awaited World Cup trophy as Portugal international team-mates “want” the all-time great to “win that title”. At the age of 41, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is preparing to grace FIFA’s flagship event for a record-setting sixth time. He is desperate to emulate Lionel Messi by landing the ultimate prize.With 226 international caps and 143 goals to his name, Ronaldo has savoured European Championship glory with Portugal and hoisted UEFA Nations League silverware aloft on a couple of occasions.He is nursing an injury at present, which has prevented him from being included in Roberto Martinez’s latest squad, but has been showing no sign of slowing down in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr - with prolific strike rates being maintained.If fit, Ronaldo will captain his country at another major tournament this summer. Martinez has suggested that he will be given a starting berth, with there no reason to rotate the GOAT out of ambitious plans.Portugal have enough talent at their disposal - including the likes of Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha - to suggest that a serious claim for World Cup immortality can be staked. Quaresma believes everyone in that camp will be desperate to deliver for their skipper.The mercurial former winger, who made 80 appearances for Portugal, told the Daily Mail at a Puma 2026 World Cup kit launch: “They won the Nations League, so that's what I'm saying. We have more will to win because Cristiano is there. It's his last World Cup and they want Cristiano to win that title. The expectation is high, it's very high, because they have quality for that, because if they didn't have it, we wouldn't have had that whole expectation.”Ronaldo saw eternal rival Messi conquer the world with Argentina in 2022. Former Manchester United team-mate Kleberson told GOAL recently of what CR7 is desperate to scratch that itch: “Inside of him he probably feels ‘gosh, I have to win the World Cup, I can’t finish my career like this’.“He has to work hard. It’s not just him, it’s other players. Neymar also is probably thinking ‘Messi has a World Cup, I don’t’. [Erling] Haaland as well, he might not get a World Cup. It’s inside players, inside these top players.“Look at Adriano - he’s a big name in Brazil, in Italy he played at a great level, but he hasn’t won the World Cup. The World Cup is sometimes fair, sometimes unfair. I believe those guys look at me and think ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe Kleberson has a World Cup and I haven’t!’ I don’t have five Ballons’ d’Or, but I have won the World Cup!”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingQuaresma was unable to help Ronaldo across that line during his playing days, but did form part of a triumphant Euro 2016-winning squad. He hopes a global crown can be captured as another generation of Portuguese talent is inspired to follow in the most illustrious of footsteps.The 42-year-old ex-Sporting, Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea and Besiktas star added: “I am very proud to see the players who played with me win such an important title for our country. I think it is the dream of all of us to win a World Cup.“We have already won a European title and now to win a World Cup (is the goal). I think it is the cherry on top of the cake because we always dreamed of it, but we never got it. And the reality is that in this team, this generation has given a lot of hope to our country.”Portugal will kick off their Group K campaign at the 2026 World Cup against the winner of an inter-confederation play-off on June 17. They will remain in Houston, Texas for a meeting with Uzbekistan before heading to Miami for a clash with Colombia.

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The Desire for World Cup Immortality

Ricardo Quaresma, a former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, revealed the collective goal within the Portuguese national team to see their captain lift the World Cup trophy. With Ronaldo's illustrious career and unwavering determination, the team is fueled by the desire to make his dream a reality.

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Ronaldo's Unfinished Business

Having achieved numerous individual accolades and team successes, Cristiano Ronaldo is now focused on securing World Cup glory. Despite facing stiff competition and battling through injuries, Ronaldo remains relentless in his pursuit of adding a World Cup triumph to his remarkable resume.

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Portugal's Strength and Ambition

With talents like Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha in their ranks, Portugal boasts a formidable squad capable of making a serious bid for World Cup success. Manager Roberto Martinez's confidence in Ronaldo's leadership and abilities signals Portugal's intent to compete at the highest level.

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A Dream Shared by a Nation

The Portuguese community, led by Quaresma and other former players, shares the dream of witnessing their national team clinch a World Cup title. The historic triumph at Euro 2016 has fueled aspirations for even greater achievements, with the World Cup serving as the ultimate prize for both players and fans alike.

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The Path Ahead

Portugal's journey at the 2026 World Cup holds significant promise, with the team gearing up to face tough opponents in their quest for glory. As they prepare to kick off their campaign in Group K, the stage is set for a captivating display of skill, passion, and determination from the Portuguese side.

Published on Mar 22, 2026