Cristiano Ronaldo is key to Portugal’s World Cup dream, says Bruno Fernandes

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal and Al-Nassr’s legendary forward, is widely regarded as one of football’s all-time greats. Across a career spanning more than two decades, Ronaldo has combined unrivaled goal-scoring ability with remarkable longevity, amassing a trophy cabinet full of team and individual honors—including five Ballon d’Or titles.

Now 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age with his scoring consistency, maintaining his place among UEFA’s most decorated players and cementing his legacy as one of football’s immortals.

Despite his achievements, some critics argue that Ronaldo is a liability for Portugal in international tournaments, suggesting the national team would benefit from a younger, more mobile striker who contributes more off the ball.

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Portugal and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes disagrees. Speaking to Canal 11, Fernandes emphasized that Ronaldo remains vital to Portugal’s hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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BRUNO FERNANDES responded if the national team plays better without Cristiano Ronaldo:

“I have no problem talking about this. I know what people’s opinion is, that they say it’s clear that we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are more free and loose.

If that… pic.twitter.com/HM7TJ9wqEV

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“Cristiano inside the box continues to be a very high-level player. He draws defenders and creates spaces for other players. If Cristiano doesn’t play and Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos does, Goncalo is strong in pressing and good at diagonal runs,” Fernandes said.

He added, “When I’m not playing and Bernardo Silva is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass. It’s all like that. All players add things and take away others. Cristiano is the same as us. We have to know how to adapt and enhance each other’s qualities so that the national team benefits.”

Ronaldo is Portugal’s greatest-ever player and all-time top scorer, with 143 goals in 226 appearances since his national team debut in 2003. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has always maintained that he aims for a fitting farewell in 2026: a World Cup triumph, the only major honor missing from his illustrious career.

Ronaldo’s place in the team once seemed uncertain after being benched by former Portugal coach Fernando Santos at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, his successor Roberto Martinez quickly reinstated the 40-year-old, valuing his experience and impact as Portugal looks to contend for glory in 2026.

“I know what people think, that it’s clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid. I think that, if that happens, it’s partly our fault. We can’t worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things,” Fernandes concluded.

Portugal enter the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—as one of the tournament favorites, having recently defeated Spain to lift the UEFA Nations League. With Ronaldo still central to their plans, the national team will be hoping their iconic forward can deliver the crowning achievement of his storied career.

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