RONALDO ‘ALWAYS HAPPY’ WHEN PLAYING FOR PORTUGAL

Ronaldo is “always happy” when playing for Portugal Joao Mario said. Ronaldo, 37, is now preparing to lead Portugal at a World Cup for what is almost certain to be the final time. “He’s always happy when he is in the national team,” Benfica midfielder Joao Mario told reporters. “I saw him yesterday and he was quite fine as always. As he has said before, for him it is always a pleasure to be here. He’s totally focused on the national team. “I don’t see a problem with the timing (of the interview) because everyone always speaks about Cristiano, so it’s fine for us.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been a peripheral figure for United this season under new manager Ten Hag. Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in international football, has started just four games in the Premier League this season and scored only once. His Portugal side open their World Cup campaign against Ghana in Doha on November 24 and will also face Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.