‘Portugal Need Ronaldo To Achieve World Cup Dream’

Bruno Fernandes has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo still contributes a lot to the national team, and his experience will be needed for the team to achieve World Cup glory.

When Ronaldo was suspended, the Portuguese cruised past Armenia in last month’s final World Cup qualifier, 9-1, to seal a place in next year’s big event.

Fernandes said: “Cristiano inside the box continues to be a very high-level player.

“He draws defenders and creates space for other players. If Cristiano doesn’t play and [Paris Saint-Germain’s] Gonçalo [Ramos] does, Gonçalo is strong in pressing and good at diagonal runs.

“When I’m not playing and Bernardo [Silva] is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass. It’s all like that. All players add things and take away others. Cristiano is the same as us. We have to know how to adapt and enhance each other’s qualities so that the national team benefits.”

Ronaldo, 40, is the all-time men’s international goalscorer with 143 goals in 226 appearances for Portugal since making his debut in 2003.

His time with the national team looked to be in jeopardy when he was benched by Fernando Santos during the 2022 World Cup.

However, his goalscoring form with Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr has allowed Ronaldo to return to Portugal’s starting XI under Santos’ successor, Roberto Martínez.

“I know what people think, that it’s clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid. I think that, if that happens, it’s partly our fault. We can’t worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things.”

Portugal, who beat Euro 2024 winners Spain to win the UEFA Nations League title in the summer, have high expectations heading into the 2026 World Cup.

They qualified with four wins and just one defeat while scoring 20 goals, five netted by their leading scorer Ronaldo, and conceding seven in six games.

“I want to play in the 2026 World Cup, but if I have to be on the bench for us to be champions, I’ll sign for that twice,” Fernandes said.

Fernandes, 31, also has high expectations heading into his third World Cup.

It will also represent Ronaldo’s last opportunity to lift the only major trophy missing in his distinguished career.

“We dream of winning the World Cup and that responsibility is positive. We must close ranks as a group and figure out where to improve, and understand that the World Cup won’t be perfect. I know we are prepared to have a great campaign that will bring honor to the country.”

The Portuguese have been paired alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of the inter-confederation playoff Path 1.