Veteran striker could clash with Messi as Portugal chases first title
Image UEFA.com
Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup after being named in coach Roberto Martinez’s 27-man squad. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr star aims to appear in a record sixth World Cup, yet Portugal has never won the tournament.
Ronaldo, the men’s all-time leading international scorer with 143 goals, may face Lionel Messi, who is also set for his sixth World Cup after winning in Qatar 2022. The forward avoids a three-match ban despite a red card in the final qualifier against Ireland.
The squad includes Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and PSG stars Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Goncalo Ramos. Portugal will play friendlies against Chile and Nigeria before starting their campaign against DR Congo on June 17, followed by Uzbekistan and Colombia on June 23 and 27.
