In Ron they trust
Ronaldo thrilled to see new generation of players thriving
FOR a veteran who has played in four World Cups and is about to make it a record-tying fifth in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo knows the score on the biggest stage. And the 37-year-old believes a talented Portugal squad that mix the right amount of experience and youth are capable of winning their first title.
LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo knows a thing or two about World Cups. He has played in four of them and is about to make it to a record-tying fifth this month in Qatar.
Ronaldo also knows when he sees something promising, and he believes this time there is reason to feel optimistic about the chances of a talented Portugal squad that mixes the right amount of experience and youth as they try to win their first World Cup title.
“The squad for this World Cup is a great mix of experienced players and young rising stars, and I hope we can show the world what this Portugal team are capable of at the very highest level of the world game,” Ronaldo told The Associated Press ahead of the launch of his inaugural NFT collection with cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance.
The collection will be available tomorrow, just before the World Cup starts, and the bidding price for some of the collectibles related to the football star will begin at the equivalent of about US$10,000 (RM45,450). The NFTS will feature seven animated statues depicting Ronaldo from iconic moments in his life, ranging from bicycle-kick goals to his childhood in Portugal.
Ronaldo often attracted most of the attention any time Portugal played, but this time he will enter the World Cup sharing some of the spotlight with a talented group of players that includes Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao.
“I’ve been thrilled to see this generation of players thrive,” the 37-year-old Ronaldo
said in emailed comments to the AP. “It’s hard to compare one generation with another. Everyone who plays for Portugal, whether in the past or today, has overcome so much to compete at the top level.”
The only player older than Ronaldo in Portugal’s squad is veteran central defender Pepe, who will be playing in his fourth World Cup.
Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 117 goals, helped Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the inaugural edition of the Nations League in 2019, but he is still missing the biggest prize.
Portugal’s best result in the tournament with Ronaldo playing came in 2006 in Germany, when the team reached the semi-finals. Portugal didn’t make it past the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“Of course we’re there to win and I believe we have the squad to do it,” Ronaldo said. “But then there are a number of top teams out there with world-class talent – so we have to stay focused, stay humble, and go out there and show what we can do. The rest will follow.”
Portugal will play their opening match at this year’s World Cup against Ghana on Nov 24. Uruguay and South Korea are also in Group H.
Meanwhile, Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer will make the final decision about Ronaldo’s future at the club after the forward’s incendiary TV interview, a person with knowledge of the situation said.
Ronaldo’s position at United is considered untenable after saying he felt “betrayed” by the club in an interview set to be broadcast in Britain this week, where he also said he does not respect manager Erik ten Hag.
The interview has been widely viewed as an attempt by Ronaldo to force a move away from United after the World Cup. But Glazer will have the final say on any decision to sell the forward and it will be up to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes to present potential clubs willing to buy him, the person with knowledge of the situation said. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the issue publicly.