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February 9, 2025
With the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup around 18 months away, a key question is yet to be answered... Will we see Cristiano Ronaldo playing for the Portuguese National Team?
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has not confirmed either way, but his presence at the tournament would be welcomed by fans worldwide. Online bookmakers would also be delighted if Ronaldo was still strutting his stuff when the World Cup is staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Punters would be clamouring to use the 1XBET promo code to wager on Ronaldo helping Portugal mount a strong bid to lift the prestigious trophy. International teammate Bruno Fernandes has no doubt that Ronaldo will be in Roberto Martinez’s squad for the 2026 World Cup...
Cristiano Ronaldo - All FIFA World Cup winners
Bruno Fernandes: "I not only believe, but I'm almost certain that he'll be there," he told TNT Sports. "It would be great if Cristiano Ronaldo fulfilled his dream of winning the World Cup with the national team, not only for him, but for us Portuguese people..."
"We really want to give that to our country. For him, as the ultimate reference in our football, it would be the best way to end."
Having won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, Ronaldo has made no secret of his desire to add a World Cup winners' medal to his glittering CV.
There are also several records Ronaldo could set if he plays, each of which are further motivation for his to continue his illustrious career at international level.
Playing in a record-breaking sixth World Cup would mean a lot to Ronaldo, particularly given that Lionel Messi is the only other active player currently able to achieve the feat.
Messi has left the door open to playing in another World Cup with Argentina, and it is hard to imagine Ronaldo allowing him to set a new record on his own.
There is also the small matter of the record for the most appearances in World Cup history, with Messi's 26 putting him one ahead of former German international star Lothar Matthaus.
Ronaldo is four behind Messi, but could overhaul him if the Argentinian playmaker decides to retire from international football before the tournament.
He has also set his sights on extending his record for the most international goals for Portugal, with his tally currently standing at a mind-boggling 135 goals.
Ronaldo’s total of 217 international caps is also the highest in men’s football, and he has previously hinted he would like to hit the 250-mark.
However, aside from personal records, Ronaldo’s primary aim will be to help Portugal fulfil their dream of joining a select group of nations.
Spain, Germany, Italy and France are the only teams who have won the European Championship and World Cup, and Portugal are eager to join that stellar list.
They have reached the semi-finals on two previous occasions (1966 & 2006), but Fernandes believes Ronaldo can help them go all the way in next year’s tournament.
"It would be a huge thing for Cristiano Ronaldo to probably end his career with the national team with the two most important trophies - the European Championship and the World Cup," Fernandes added.
"Portugal had never won them before. Winning the World Cup would not be a day of celebration, but rather a week of celebration in Portugal."
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on February 13, against Al Ahli for the Saudi Pro League. You can watch Al Ahli vs Al Nassr, Man City vs Real Madrid, Sevilla vs Barça, Plymouth vs Liverpool, Inter vs Fiorentina and Aston Villa vs Tottenham, all matches provided from our sports live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Ahli vs Al Al Nassr kick-off time (13-02-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 00:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 22:00
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 19:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 18:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 17:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 14:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 13:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 10:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / businessinsider.com / sportbible.com
