Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has expressed hope that he and his teammates can crown Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career by winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo, 41, is expected to take part in a record sixth World Cup of his career — a tournament that is likely to be the final major chapter for the Portuguese forward.
“To finish this last World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo by winning it would be something extraordinary,” Fernandes said to Wayne Rooney in a report published by BBC on Friday.
“I really hope we achieve this, not only for Portugal but for everything Cristiano has given to football and the world,” added the Portuguese midfielder and captain of Manchester United.
Ronaldo, considered one of the greatest players never to have won the World Cup, is the all-time top scorer in international football with 143 goals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of the Portugal team that won UEFA Euro 2016 and has also triumphed twice in the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal will begin their campaign in Group K on June 17 against the DR Congo national football team, followed by a match against the Uzbekistan national football team on June 23, with both games taking place in Houston. Their final group match will be against the Colombia national football team on June 27 in Miami.
The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, United States, and Mexico.
