Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal World Cup 2026 squad inclusion will make it his sixth World Cup appearance. Lionel Messi, Guillermo Ochoa and Cristiano Ronaldo are now going to be the only three players ever to play in six World Cups.
As a result, the Ronaldo Portugal World Cup squad inclusion means that the 41-year-old will be the centre of attraction once again for his country. The Portuguese, however, is unlikely to be the go-to man for his team, which has other upcoming superstars.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal World Cup Squad Inclusion Will Give Him Chances of Increasing His Goal Count
Ronaldo already has 143 goals for Portugal in an incredible 218 matches. Not only are his numbers more than those of any other player in the history of the game, but his 23-year-long international career is an epitome of longevity and perseverance.
Ronaldo won the European Championships with Portugal in 2016 and finished runner-up at the Euros in 2004, but has been less fortunate as far as the World Cup is concerned. Portugal managed to reach the semifinal in 2006 with Ronaldo in the team, which was their best showing in the last 20 years.
Ronaldo playing for Portugal at the World Cup 2026 makes him by far the most experienced forward in the team. Left-winger Joao Felix is the next most experienced forward with 54 caps and 12 goals – numbers that are nowhere near Cristiano’s.
Goncalo Guedes is the other centre-forward in the team, who has scored eight goals in 34 matches for his country. Guedes played in the World Cup in 2018, but missed out on the 2022 one. However, he can be expected to make appearances as a substitute this time around.
The irony is that Ronaldo started off playing alongside Luis Figo and Pauleta, who are both 53 at the moment. However, winning the World Cup is something neither Eusebio nor Figo managed for their country.
Is This Ronaldo’s Swan Song?
World Cup 2026 is likely to be Ronaldo’s swan song when it comes to major competitions on the international stage. He will be 43 by the time the next European Championships come along, which might be too much even for an incredible athlete like him.
So the chance is there for him to make it count this time around. However, Portugal will rely more on the likes of Joao Neves and Vitinha – both Champions League winners for two successive seasons – and Bruno Fernandes to reach ultimate glory under manager Roberto Martinez.
Still, Ronaldo will be there to exhibit his trait of sniffing out opportunities to score a goal from inside the opposition penalty box, in which respect he is probably unrivalled in the history of the game or maybe, rivalled only by Gerd Muller. The game of football has probably not seen a goal-scorer of his quality. And for Ronaldo’s swan song to be memorable, scoring a few important goals, which could prove to be decisive for both him and his country.
Even if he fails to do so, Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in the Portugal World Cup 2026 squad should be celebrated, as it stands for unmatched physical fitness and a desire to excel.
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