“It’s been a very good year. I was in Saudi Arabia recently and spoke with Cristiano. He has developed everything to keep up his condition and he will be in a position for Roberto [Martínez] to call him up”, highlighted Luiz Felipe Scolari.

A Portuguese triumph in the 2026 World Cup “doesn’t depend only on Cristiano”, pointed out the Brazilian, who led the Portuguese team to the final of the 2004 European Championship, in which they were the hosts, and to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that he continues to follow the Portuguese team and that he still sings the anthem when he hears it, something that Fernando Santos naturally also does after leading Portugal to win Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.

Currently, the coach of Azerbaijan, Santos once again said that Cristiano Ronaldo “is the best player in the world” and, therefore, he has no doubts about the presence of the national team captain at the 2026 World Cup.

“I always expected him to be at a high level until late in his career and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will be at the World Cup. He will give his all to win another title for Portugal. He is the best player in the world, period”.