Ronaldo believes he is fine. “Haven’t you seen the games?”

The team left this Friday for the United States, where they will make their debut at the 2026 World Cup on the 17th. Ronaldo has hope in this “very good generation”, but keeps his feet on the ground.

In the City of Football, in Oeiras, immediately before the farewell of the Portuguese delegation that headed to the United States to compete in the World Cup, this Friday Cristiano Ronaldo He spoke to the press and assured that he was physically well. He even seemed somewhat surprised by the question.

“How am I physically? Physically, fine. Haven’t you seen the games? I think I’m fine. There’s no surprise,” said the 41-year-old striker, who is on course for his sixth World Cup.

“Hope, but…”

The captain of the corners expressed hope in a “very good generation” of the Portuguese team, which will compete in the World Cup with the expectation of “bringing a lot of joy”, despite warning of factors that cannot be controlled.

“It’s a very good generation, but there are factors that we can’t control in games. Winning or not winning is the most important point, but I believe it’s a generation that will give the Portuguese a lot of joy,” said Ronaldo.

The formula

With the formula based on “gaining confidence by winning games”, CR7 considered that a good start, to “get into the rhythm”, is essential in a “special competition” like this — the achievement of which, however, as I said before, is not his objective.

“It will depend on many factors [vencer o Mundial]. I’m very positive and I believe that things will work out and that we will make a good presentation. What is most important is to come first in the group and go game by game. The path is built by walking, step by step. Starting the World Cup well will be important”, he highlighted.

“When it starts to tighten, we’ll see”

The team’s striker did not forget one factor, one that Portugal cannot really control: the heat intense.

“It was a very good and tiring preparation, because we worked hard and in these two games it is not normal for us to be at the highest level. Two very important victories prevailed, in which we played well and won well, but it will be from the 17th onwards. When there is psychological and physical fatigue, with the heat getting worse, that is when we will see the true champions”, pointed out the Al Nassr star.

Both the international press and a good part of the fans criticized Ronaldo’s performance in the friendlies that preceded the World Cup debut against Congo — especially in the last friendly against Nigeria, in which the striker failed to show efficiency in finishing, once again. More and more people are questioning the good form of the Portuguese star and whether he really deserves the playing time that Roberto Martínez gives him in the national team.

The team will be Trump’s “neighbor”

The Portuguese delegation leaves Humberto Delgado Airport, in Lisbon, at 3:05 pm, heading to Palm Beach, in the United States, a place that will serve as the team’s headquarters during the race.

Arrival on North American soil is scheduled for 7:15 pm local time (00:15 Lisbon time), with those selected to then proceed to the hotel that will host the Portuguese team, with statements expected upon arrival.

The World Cup 2026, which began on Thursday with Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa, will run until July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Portugal is part of Group K and has its debut scheduled for June 17th against the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Houston, in a match starting at 12pm (6pm).

Next comes newcomer Uzbekistan, on June 23rd, also in Houston and also scheduled to start at 12:00 (18:00), leaving the group closed on June 27th, with Portugal facing Colombia, in Miami, in a game that starts at 19:30 (00:30 on June 28th).