Cristiano Ronaldo disparaged the achievement of winning the World Cup because of the fact it’s played over just “six or seven games”. That number will rise to eight at the 2026 World Cup due to an extra knockout round - but for Ronaldo, his campaign will by all likelihood be limited to a maximum of five. It could end after one.
The Portugal captain, 40, is deep into his final act as a footballer, having confirmed that next year’s World Cup - the sixth of his decorated career - will “definitely” be his last. It acts as one more chance to match Lionel Messi’s crowning glory of Qatar 2022, which for many tipped the scales in the diminutive Argentinian’s favour as the greatest player of all time.
