Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed to lead Portugal at the 2026 World Cup despite being 40-years old and much older than his teammates.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest football players of all time, Ronaldo who has earned 223 caps with the Portuguese national team, remains available for international duty after signing a two-year contract extension with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.
His former national team colleague Ricardo Carvalho has now insisted that Ronaldo will play on with Portugal for “as long as he wants”.
Former Real Madrid defender Carvalho who is now working alongside Roberto Martinez in a coaching capacity noted that Ronaldo has not shown any sign of slowing down.
Carvalho told A BOLA when asked when the end will be reached by CR7: “I feel like it will be as long as he wants. The truth is, he’s earned so much credit over all these years… And I think he’s doing well, which is the most important thing.
“It helps; you feel like he’s part of the team, and you feel like he can help. Coach Roberto, especially, had all the merit in bringing him back to the national team after the 2022 World Cup. The coach’s feeling, in the meetings we’ve had, is that Cristiano will be capable of making it to the World Cup.
“I have no idea how long he can go, if there’s a limit or not, but we’re all very happy that he’s our captain and leading the team the way he has.”
Cristiano Ronaldo during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Kholood at Al Awwal Park. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Questions have been asked of whether Ronaldo should be figuring as prominently for Portugal as he does, with the captain’s armband still being passed in his direction, but Carvalho has no concerns in that department. He added: “We have good leaders. Cristiano knows he’ll eventually lose this fight against time. He feels good and is an important part of the team. I think he’s taking it day by day right now.
“Then we have players who play for big clubs, who are champions. They already lead their teams, they have experience, and they’ll surely be able to lead in their own way. Cristiano leads in his own way; he’s grown a lot over the years, since he started with me in 2003-04. The most important thing is that the national team is well-stocked with talent and good leaders.”
Ronaldo has scored 141 goals for Portugal and has not shown any sign of complacency. He remains hungry for success at domestic and international level, with a sixth World Cup set to be graced when that event heads to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
