Have we forgotten Ronaldo?

The answer is definitely no. In an oversized World Cup with 12 groups and a group stage packed with matches, since Portugal is in Group G, we can be patient and we'll eventually get to see "the Seventh" (Portugal's nickname) perform.

The disadvantage of not being in the early stages of the alphabet is that the initial excitement is usually focused on the first few matches. If those matches are good, you'll be less eager to see the subsequent matches in a World Cup with so many games. It's like being thirsty and waiting for a drink.

Ronaldo during a training session with the Portuguese national team before their match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AP

Indeed, we shouldn't blame ourselves for perhaps forgetting Ronaldo just because his group played later. Since the 2022 World Cup, when he moved to Saudi Arabia, the attention he received hasn't been as intense as it was during his European years and Champions League triumphs. News from the Middle Eastern desert is a mixed bag of goals, stadiums filled with male fans, and the anger or strikes of one of modern football's greatest superstars. But one thing remains constant: he is synonymous with goals, and he craves them. Ronaldo has scored 129 goals in 147 appearances in Saudi Arabia. Is it because Al Nassr's opponents there were too weak?

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Ronaldo, the final roar!"A final roar for the world." That's the message that appeared in the stands after the match between Portugal and Uzbekistan. The message wasn't just about Ronaldo's famous "Siuuuu" celebration, but also about the final chapter of a great career. But above all, it was the (perhaps) final mission of a player who had dedicated his entire career to raising his own standards.

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That's possible, but let's not forget one fact: He's 41 years old, an age when most players have retired, yet he's still fighting against age, against the prejudices of others about himself, and constantly striving to surpass Messi in the individual battle. CR7 is preparing for his sixth consecutive World Cup, with a burning desire for the World Cup, for the final Ronaldo-Messi battle after 20 years of relentless rivalry. However, many experts will disagree with this opinion. For them, CR7 might be left out. The current battle is Messi against Mbappe and Yamal, meaning the race for the World Cup trophy doesn't include Portugal, only Argentina, France, and Spain. People also talk about the aspirations of Harry Kane, Vinicius, Dembele, Michael Olise, and Haaland. Isn't that a great injustice to Ronaldo?

Ronaldo's answer was simple. He made his first appearance before the world press a few days ago after training with the Portuguese national team, sporting a new earring and declaring: "How's my fitness? I'm fine. Haven't you all watched my games?" After all, Ronaldo is always judged and always asked questions he certainly doesn't want to hear. He has scored in five consecutive World Cups, across four different continents. His goal in a sixth World Cup will come eventually, perhaps on the night of June 17th in Houston, USA (early morning of June 18th, Vietnam time) in the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. If not that match, it could be against Uzbekistan and Colombia, other opponents in the group. The most important thing the Portuguese captain didn't want to hear was that he was a problem for the team, not a problem for coach Roberto Martinez, who was accused of "not knowing how" to leave CR7 out of the squad when he wasn't fit enough to play.

In this World Cup, Messi and Argentina will play one day before Ronaldo and Portugal. The world's attention will be focused on these two different matches on two different days because they have faced each other as if their whole lives depend on it. Messi has played 199 games for Argentina, while CR7 has played 228. Messi's national team goals are naturally not as many as Ronaldo's. If Argentina and Portugal top their groups, the two teams could meet in this quarter-final. That would be the first time in World Cup history they've met, for the first and last time for Messi and Ronaldo. But that's in July, it's only mid-June now. Whatever happens, happens.

The whole world held its breath in anticipation.

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Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/lieu-chung-ta-da-quen-ronaldo-1044439