Cristiano Ronaldo may lead Portugal to the 2026 World Cup as the prodigy aims to attain a thousand goals record.
Ronaldo came off the bench to score a late winner for Portugal against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League, keeping his 2026 World Cup dream alive. The 39-year-old striker was surprisingly benched by manager Roberto Martinez for the match, despite scoring his 900th career goal just days earlier against Croatia. However, Ronaldo made his mark when it mattered most, striking in the 88th minute to give Portugal a 2-1 victory.
Martinez explained his decision to rest Ronaldo, stating: “Cristiano is in a good moment. It’s September, he’s played three games, he’s scored for his club. We need to protect all the players. Cristiano can’t play two 90-minute games in 72 hours.”
The Portugal boss dismissed claims that his team is overly dependent on Ronaldo, calling him “an incredible player” and “an asset” in front of goal.
Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo makes history with 900 career goals
Ronaldo, who now has 901 career goals, is determined to reach 1,000 and play in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his World Cup debut in 2006 and has since appeared in four editions of the tournament.
By coming off the bench to score the winner against Scotland, Ronaldo has shown that he still has the ability to be decisive at the highest level. With his sights set on the 2026 World Cup, the legendary striker continues to defy Father Time and prove why he is one of the greatest players of all time.
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