Revealed: Cristiano Ronaldo could play on until 2026 World Cup after setting insane Portugal target | Goal.com India (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible for Ronaldo to play in World Cup 2026? ›

WHAT HAPPENED? Earlier this year Ronaldo became the first ever male player to make 200 appearances at international level. However, according to Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, the 38-year-old is determined to reach 250 caps. If he is to reach that milestone, he would likely have to play at the 2026 World Cup finals.

All in all, no one else has as much quality as Lionel Messi. “He is the star player of my generation and the greatest footballer of all time.

Analysis: France is the odds-on-favorite after finishing runner-up in what was memorable 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Argentina, the reigning champions, currently sit in the middle of the pack at 10/1 as they try to become the first country in over 60 years to win back-to-back World Cups.

Who is better Messi Or Ronaldo? Ronaldo has scored a record number of international goals and appearances, but Messi has won more Ballon d'Or awards (8). Messi has spent most of his playing career in Spain and France, while Ronaldo has played in Portugal, England, Spain, and Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th international tournament for Portugal later this year, after the 39-year-old was named in his nation's squad for Euro 2024.

As per ESPN, the reason for the Al-Nassr striker being dropped is purely to give the 39-year-old, who is on a small vacation with his family in Saudi Arabia, some rest with the Saudi Pro League having taken a pause for the international break.

His goalscoring idol growing up was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen". Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, aged 13. As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000.

Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has revealed that he refers to Cristiano Ronaldo as "The GOAT". GOAT is an acronym often used in sports. It stands for Greatest Of All Time.

But the major difference, statistically at least, is that Messi has played over 100 fewer games than his rival – not a surprise given he is two years younger than the Portuguese icon. And when it comes to goals or assists per game or per minute, Messi boasts a superior record.

Uruguay national football team

1930 FIFA World Cup / Champion

Where will the 2026 World Cup final be help? ›

Venue. The selected host venue for the final is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 10 miles (16 km) west of New York City. During the tournament, FIFA will refer to the venue as "New York New Jersey Stadium" due to their sponsorship policies.

The 16 host cities across three countries did not know which matches they would be allocated until Gianni Infantino, president of world governing body FIFA, made the announcements in a live televised show on Sunday, saying the 2026 tournament would be “the biggest spectacle the world has ever seen”.

Messi: It was only a so-called 'battle'

In a sporting sense, it was really good, we fed off each other because we are very competitive. He always wanted to beat everyone and win everything. It was a very nice period for us and for people who like football in general. I think what we did for so long was very admirable."

Top Speed: Ronaldo wins with 34 km/h vs. Messi's 32.5 km/h. Acceleration: Messi takes the lead, reaching top speed quicker. Average Speed: They're close, with Messi slightly ahead at 23 km/h vs.

A few months after leading Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar in December 2022, Messi was three times more popular among Americans than his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. He is now more than four times more popular than Ronaldo in the USA.

We can easily expect Ronaldo to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup (appearing in 6th world cup edition in his career) and hope to see him win the most prestigious award in all of the competition.

Ronaldo has hinted at a number of potential avenues for exploration when he retires from playing football, including coaching, acting and pursuing studies.

As of April 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr age is already 13 years old. His birthday is June 17, 2010, and zodiac sign is Gemini.