Portuguese legend Maniche believes Cristiano Ronaldo remains indispensable to the national team and should start at the 2026 World Cup. Despite the forward's advancing age, his former team-mate insists there is currently no superior alternative to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker has once again weighed in on the eternal Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate, insisting that placing the Argentine above the Portuguese is simply a matter of footballing fact rather than a personal insult. Lineker also revealed how his unwavering stance on the GOAT debate caused a personal rift with the Al-Nassr and Portugal superstar.
Cristiano Ronaldo is often depicted as a superhuman figure whose obsession with perfection separates him from the rest of the sporting world. However, former team-mate Danilo has offered a refreshing glimpse into the reality of sharing a dressing room with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, insisting that the Portuguese icon is far more grounded than his public persona suggests.
Kylian Mbappe is currently navigating the intense scrutiny that comes with being the focal point of the Real Madrid attack, a burden previously carried by club legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite a prolific start to life in Spain, the Frenchman has faced accusations of arrogance and claims that his presence disrupts team balance, much like the debates that once surrounded the Portuguese icon.
The football world has spent nearly two decades debating who is the greatest of all time, but the prospect of seeing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same shirt once felt like a genuine possibility for Real Madrid. Former Los Blancos president Ramon Calderon has shed light on whether the club ever truly believed they could unite the two legendary figures at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo has trademarked some of the most iconic moves in football history, and it seems the Al-Nassr superstar is already passing those secrets down to the next generation. In a heartwarming clip shared on social media, the legendary forward took time away from his intense World Cup preparations to host a private coaching session in his own backyard.
Real Madrid's star Kylian Mbappe has set the stage for a thrilling 2026 World Cup by making a series of bold predictions regarding the tournament's top marksmen. The France captain, who is looking to banish the memories of a painful final defeat in Qatar, has weighed in on the eternal debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi while asserting his own dominance.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes showed why he's Portugal's most important player going into this summer's World Cup in North America by starring in a 2-1 friendly win over Chile in Lisbon on Saturday evening that featured a stupid red card for winger Rafael Leao and a worryingly ineffective display from Seleccao skipper Cristiano Ronaldo.
England have never come up against Lionel Messi, and Robbie Fowler has told GOAL why the 2026 World Cup could be the perfect occasion in which to cross paths with the Argentine GOAT. The ex-Three Lions frontman says the 2022 champion should not scare Thomas Tuchel’s side, while a reunion with old adversaries Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal should also be embraced.
Antony has opened up on the advice he received from Cristiano Ronaldo during their time at Manchester United and revealed how Erik ten Hag played a decisive role in bringing him to Old Trafford. The Brazilian also reflected on the pressure of English football and the challenges that eventually led him to seek a fresh start in Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to win the World Cup “because of Lionel Messi”, Eric Djemba-Djemba has told GOAL, with the Portuguese GOAT driven by an insatiable desire to succeed. A global title on North American soil this summer would, however, complete the 41-year-old’s medal collection and see him emulate the achievements of his eternal rival.
Former Portugal team manager Carlos Godinho has expressed a deep desire to see Cristiano Ronaldo finish his legendary international career by lifting the World Cup trophy. With the Al-Nassr forward now 41 heading into the 2026 tournament, those close to the Selecao believe this may be his final chance to secure the one major prize missing from his cabinet.
Cristiano Ronaldo might have lost a tiny fraction of his peak speed, but former Portugal team-mate Ricardo insists the legendary forward remains a lethal goalscoring machine. Now working as the national team's goalkeeper coach, Ricardo explains how the 41-year-old icon has evolved his game from a tricky dribbler into a devastating striker whose hunger and passion remain totally unmatched.
RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande has opened up on the evolution of his game as Europe’s elite clubs scramble for his signature ahead of a potential blockbuster summer move. The Ivorian winger, who has become one of the most feared attackers in the Bundesliga, is currently at the centre of a massive transfer tussle involving Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is not convinced the 2026 World Cup will mark the end for veterans like 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, defending champion Lionel Messi, 38, and Luka Modric, 40. The Portuguese centre-back discussed the immense motivation his squad feels to capture the only major trophy their iconic captain has failed to win.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has shared an emotional moment with his followers after receiving a special delivery from his long-term idol Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, but the legendary Portuguese international took the time to send a message of support to the Bernabeu star.
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