FILE PHOTO: “I really ​hope we can ‌make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world,” ‌said Bruno Fernandes. | Photo Credit: AFP

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed hope that he and his ​teammates can help crown Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‌international career by winning the 2026 ​World Cup.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo ⁠is set to appear in a record sixth World Cup in June, a tournament ‌expected to be the final major chapter of the forward’s ‌career.

“Wrapping up all this last World ‌Cup ⁠with Cristiano (Ronaldo) winning it would ⁠be something amazing,” Fernandes told Wayne Rooney in a BBC report published on Friday.

“I really ​hope we can ‌make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world,” ‌the Portuguese midfielder and Manchester United ​captain said.

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Ronaldo, considered one of the greatest players ever to ⁠have not won a World Cup, is the record scorer in international ‌football with 143 goals.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning team and has lifted the Nations League twice.

Portugal’s opening Group K game is on June ‌17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed ​by Uzbekistan on June 23, with both games in Houston. ⁠It plays Colombia on June 27 in ⁠Miami in its final group game.

The World Cup runs from ‌June 11 to July 19 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Published on Apr 25, 2026