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HOUSTON — Less than 24 hours before Portugal’s first match of the 2026 World Cup, Bruno Fernandes admitted he was nervous.
It’s a “good anxiety,” Fernandes clarified. The Manchester United midfielder said he always gets nervous to play for Portugal, knowing that millions of children are tuning in to root for the national team. He was one of those kids once, watching Portugal play and finish as the runner-up in the 2004 European Championship on home soil.
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On that Portugal team was a 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who two years later made his World Cup debut in 2006.
Now, Ronaldo is 41 and playing in his sixth World Cup, which he’s said is most likely his last. Ahead of Portugal’s June 17 opener against Congo, Fernandes said he and his teammates cherish this latest opportunity to compete for a trophy alongside Ronaldo.
“We’ve all grown up watching Cristiano Ronaldo play and for us it’s such an honor to play next to him now in the same team,” Fernandes said. “I think he’s also anxious because at the end of the day he’s also representing his national team and we know how passionate he is when he plays for Portugal.”
Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are the only men who have played in six World Cups and scored in five World Cups. Ronaldo could set a record if he scores for Portugal during his sixth World Cup.
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Portugal has never won the World Cup, which is the only major trophy missing from Ronaldo’s cabinet. He’s won five Ballons d’Or, five UEFA Champions League titles, two Nations League titles, one European Championship, two La Liga championships and three Premier League championships — among other honors.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said that Ronaldo remains “essential” to the national team.
“He’s a role model,” Martinez said. “He’s an iconic player in global football for young athletes, children male and female, who start feeling the love for football when playing on the street, and that is wonderful for us. It is his sixth World Cup but internally it feels like his first World Cup when it comes to his intensity, emotions and ability to lead the group.”
Ronaldo posted a photo of the Portuguese team on the social media platform X on Tuesday, writing, “Every time we wear this jersey, we feel the same pride, the same passion, and the same sense of responsibility as on the first day. Tomorrow begins a new chapter.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruno Fernandes, Roberto Martinez reflect on Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup
