Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a firm response to critics questioning his form and fitness as he prepares to lead Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The 41-year-old forward is on the verge of making history as the first male footballer to participate in six World Cup tournaments. Portugal will begin their campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on Wednesday, with Ronaldo once again carrying the hopes of his nation.
Ahead of the tournament, the Portuguese captain faced criticism following a difficult run of friendly matches in which both he and the national team struggled to reach their usual standards.
However, Ronaldo rejected suggestions that his performances had declined, challenging those who had questioned his recent displays.
“Did you even watch it?” Ronaldo responded when asked about criticism surrounding his form.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner explained that the intensity of Portugal’s preparation period had affected the team’s performances in the warm-up matches and insisted that the true assessment should come once the World Cup officially begins.
Despite being in the latter stages of his remarkable career, Ronaldo remains a key figure in Portugal’s squad due to his experience, leadership and relentless desire to compete at the highest level.
The World Cup remains the one major honour missing from his extraordinary career, which includes multiple UEFA Champions League titles, a European Championship triumph with Portugal and the record for most goals scored in men’s international football.
His longevity has drawn comparisons with Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at the age of 42 during the 1994 tournament in the United States.
Ronaldo now has the opportunity to create another chapter in football history as he aims to guide Portugal to World Cup glory in what could be his final appearance on the sport’s biggest stage.
With the tournament set to begin, the spotlight will once again fall on the legendary forward, who remains determined to prove that age has not diminished his ability to influence the biggest matches.
