Cristiano Ronaldo affirms that he is still in peak physical condition and urges fans to judge the Portuguese national team by their World Cup performance, rather than their warm-up friendlies.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave a straightforward response to doubts about his form and physical condition right on the threshold of the 2026 World Cup.
On June 12, the Portuguese national team departed for the US to prepare for their opening match against DR Congo in Group K. Before the flight, Ronaldo became the center of attention during a press conference when asked about the criticism surrounding his failure to score in recent friendly matches.
The 41-year-old star immediately responded with a confident question: “I am still fine physically. Don’t you guys watch me play?”
This will be the sixth World Cup in Ronaldo’s career, an unprecedented milestone for any Portuguese player. Although his age has become a more frequently mentioned topic, CR7 shows that he is not too concerned with outside evaluations.
“We had a good preparation process even though it was quite tiring. Usually, no team reaches a perfect state in pre-tournament friendlies. The important thing is June 17, when everything truly begins. Then we will know who the real champions are,” Ronaldo emphasized.
The Al-Nassr striker also expressed optimism about his home country’s chances. According to him, the formula for success at the World Cup lies in creating winning momentum right from the group stage.
Meanwhile, coach Roberto Martinez affirmed that all Portuguese players are in a ready state. The Spanish manager highly appreciates the combination of individual talent and collective spirit in the current squad.
The Portuguese national team enters the 2026 World Cup with high expectations after winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League. With Ronaldo continuing to be the leader in the attack, the journey in the US could be the final chapter for one of the greatest stars in the history of world football.
