Vinícius Júnior believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have a strong chance of winning the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Brazilian star praised Portugal's squad depth and Ronaldo's leadership, stating that the team has enough quality to compete for the title.
Ronaldo's Final World Cup Bid
Portugal are aiming to win the World Cup for the first time in their history. Ronaldo will be seen leading the team once again at the age of 41. He heads into the tournament after a successful season with Al-Nassr FC, where he helped the club win the Saudi Pro League title. With this likely being his final World Cup appearance, fans believe Ronaldo will be highly motivated to finally lift football's biggest trophy before retirement.
Vinicius Jr Praises Portugal Squad
Speaking to CazeTV, Vinicius Jr highlighted that Ronaldo's presence alone makes Portugal a dangerous team. He also praised the young generation of Portuguese players, emphasizing the strength of the squad in different areas of the pitch. The Real Madrid forward specifically mentioned Vitinha and João Neves as among the brightest talents in world football right now. He also named Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leão, and João Félix as key players who could make a major impact during the competition.
Vinicius explained that having Ronaldo in the squad gives the team extra confidence and experience. He also shared that he has a good relationship with several Portuguese players and respects the quality they bring to the national team.
Portugal's World Cup Journey
Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 after losing to Morocco. This time, they will begin their campaign in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Ronaldo is preparing to make history by appearing in his sixth FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese captain already holds the records for most international appearances and goals in men's football. If Portugal perform well, the tournament could become another historic chapter in his legendary career.
Earlier this year, Ronaldo faced uncertainty over his availability for Portugal's opening World Cup game after receiving a red card during a qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. The incident involved an elbow challenge on Dara O'Shea. However, FIFA decided not to extend the suspension beyond one match because Ronaldo had maintained a clean disciplinary record with the national team before that incident.
With experienced stars and talented young players in the squad, Portugal will enter the World Cup as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
