Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has lifted numerous team trophies and individual honors in his career, with the FIFA World Cup still eluding him. And he has recently received a big show of support from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Praised Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ahead of PSG’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat against Sporting CP earlier on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Enrique was asked if Ronaldo’s Portugal could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Enrique quickly replied, “Without any doubt. For me, it is among the top teams capable of winning the World Cup (this year). But, there are other strong teams as well, like Spain, along with the traditional favorites. Still, in terms of individual quality, Portugal stand out.”
The former Spain manager also insisted Ronaldo’s national team is an eminent reservoir of quality players and has an intriguing project under head coach Roberto Martinez.
“For many years now, Portugal has been exporting players, coaches, and sporting directors all over the world. There are Portuguese everywhere, and all at a very high level. Based on what they are doing now, with a Spanish coach, it’s a mix that I find very interesting,” the former Barcelona, AS Roma, and Celta Vigo manager commented.
The PSG tactician concluded, “Without any doubt, Portugal is one of the teams we always highlight for its individual quality… a referential national team. What they lack is winning a World Cup. I hope it’s Spain. But if not, I would like it to be Portugal.”
Ahead of the upcoming quadrennial tournament, Spain is the top-ranked men’s team in the world, while Portugal is in sixth spot in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings. While Enrique’s national team has won one World Cup, the latter has yet to play in a World Cup final.
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Portugal is set to face Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the FIFA Playoff Path 1 winner in Group K of the 2026 edition of the famed tournament, set to be held from Jun. 11 to Jul. 19.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is hoping to equal Argentina superstar Lionel Messi’s World Cup tally in the summer and win his country’s maiden World Cup trophy. He has tasted success once in the UEFA European Championship and twice in the UEFA Nations League.
The Al-Nassr superstar, who has bagged eight times in 22 World Cup matches in his career so far, is expected to start for Portugal in a number nine role at the tournament.
