Legendary Man United coach Sir Alex Ferguson did not think he would be able to see Cristiano Ronaldo shine for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo just went through a disappointing Euro 2024. CR7 and Portugal were eliminated in the quarterfinals with unconvincing performances throughout the tournament. The 39-year-old striker himself did not play well when, despite trying very hard like CR7, he still had to leave the tournament without being able to compete. scoring a single goal, this is also the worst achievement that Ronaldo has experienced in the past 2 decades at major tournaments (Euro, World Cup) since his debut in 2004 until now.
Recently, in a conversation with Germany’s Bild Sports newspaper, former teacher Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to have “helped CR7 see the cruel reality” of age, when he said that he did not believe that his former student was still alive. strong enough to continue fighting at the 2026 World Cup.
“I can’t imagine that (Ronaldo still plays at the 2026 World Cup). Football matches will become increasingly faster in tempo in the coming years.”
“In addition, the space for central strikers will increasingly shrink. In contrast to defenders, it will be more difficult for strikers to play at the highest level as they get older.”
However, Ferguson added that he considered Ronaldo “one of the greatest players of all time” and that he did not need to do anything more to prove it.
“One or two more titles won’t mean much to him, because Ronaldo has had a unique career.”
Currently, Ronaldo’s future with the Portuguese team is still a big question mark for fans, as he himself has confirmed that Euro 2024 will be the last time he participates in the European Cup, but both Ronaldo and his coach Roberto Martinez refused to talk about whether CR7 still wants to continue playing for the national team or will continue to play until the 2026 World Cup?