Cristiano Ronaldo: "When things get tough, that's when we'll see the true champions"

Portugal departs today from the Cidade do Futebol, heading to the United States to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the "Seleção das Quinas," spoke on behalf of the squad, openly expressing the ambition that fuels them.

"With great joy, we know that the World Cup is always a special competition, just like the Euros, and we go with a lot of hope. Physically? I'm doing well, haven't you been watching the games?" he began.

When asked if Portugal is a title contender, the captain tempered expectations slightly: "We'll only know at the end. It's a very good generation, but there are factors we can't control, like the matches, winning or not winning – that's the most important point. I believe this is a generation that will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people."

Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that the team's preparation has been thorough and revealed his formula for success: "It was tiring because we worked hard. We secured victories in the warm-up games, but the most important thing is when the ball starts rolling on the 17th, in the first match, and then when things get tough, that's when we'll see the true champions. It will depend on many factors; I'm very positive that things will go well. The important thing is to finish first in the group, then it's game by game, step by step, calmly, building confidence and getting into rhythm."