Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed the media ahead of Portugal’s decisive qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, a match that could secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.
On Tuesday, the captain spoke candidly about the team’s approach, the challenge in Dublin, and even touched on the hypothetical milestone of scoring his thousandth career goal in a World Cup final.
On the fantasy of scoring his thousandth goal in a World Cup final, he joked: “That would be too perfect—too much like a movie. But seeing these stats makes me happy. Football is a team game, and while one player can make a difference with goals, it’s never just about one individual. If it ever happened, it would be a dream way to finish my career.”
He added: “Scoring goals is the hardest thing in football. I’ve learned to adapt to modern football—physically, mentally and to the different contexts of clubs, the national team, and leagues. Football is not the same as it was five, ten, or even one year ago. You have to adjust. What makes the difference is your mindset—being ready for challenges and pushing yourself further.”
Ronaldo acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture: “Away games are always tough, and Ireland still have their dreams alive. We are ready. A win ensures qualification, and we are confident in our abilities.”
Looking ahead to potentially competing in his sixth World Cup, the 40-year-old said: “Every World Cup is special. I hope we win tomorrow and that in nine months I’m in good shape to play in another finals tournament.”
“What I’ve said before stands. Right now, the focus is on tomorrow. Portugal is here to win and qualify. Everything else can wait. I’ll talk more about the future when the time is right. For now, it’s about enjoying the moment.”
