Cristiano Ronaldo's former coach backs 'remarkable' forward to win World Cup in 2026 with CR7 'chasing milestones and wanting to break records'

At 40 years of age, evergreen frontman CR7 has committed to a new two-year contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. He has been showing no sign of slowing down there, with back-to-back Golden Boots being collected in the Middle East.

Ronaldo also remains captain of his country, having recently helped them to UEFA Nations League glory, and is expected to grace a sixth World Cup of his remarkable career when FIFA’s flagship event heads to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Meulensteen can see CR7 lighting up that event, telling Grosvenor Casino: "Cristiano Ronaldo knows what Saudi brings and how it suits his family life, it’s remarkable at his age that he is still playing and keeping fit and wanting to get to the World Cup.

"Portugal have a lot of talent, you can’t expect Ronaldo to be as he was when he was 28 but he will keep going as long as he feels like he is chasing something. He is chasing milestones and will want to break records, playing in Saudi he knows what the league is like and he has the desire to win trophies out there."

Meulensteen added on Ronaldo’s bid to complement domestic success with international honours - with there one glaring omission on his glittering CV: "Cristiano Ronaldo has a chance of lifting the World Cup, Portugal have so much quality in that team and it’s about the role he can play in that.

"They're definitely a team that can progress and then it all depends on who you meet in the knockout stages and how well your best players perform. That is when you need to step up and be able to produce. They're definitely in with a chance."

Ronaldo has reached 221 caps and 138 goals for Portugal, as the history books continue to be rewritten. He intends to reach 1,000 goals before any thought is given to hanging up his boots for the final time.