Cristiano Ronaldo confident and ready for record sixth World Cup with Portugal

• Cristiano Ronaldo says he is fully fit and ready to lead Portugal into a record sixth World Cup
• The Portugal captain believes his side has the quality to challenge for the trophy in North America
• Ronaldo stressed the importance of a strong start as Portugal prepare to face Congo in their opener

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is physically ready and full of confidence ahead of what will be a record sixth FIFA World Cup appearance, as Portugal prepare to begin their latest quest for the one major trophy that has eluded their captain throughout his remarkable career.

The 41-year-old started both of Portugal’s World Cup warm-up victories against Chile and Nigeria and brushed aside any concerns about his condition before the squad departed for the United States.

Asked about his fitness, Ronaldo delivered a typically direct response.

“Physically? I’m fine. Have you not seen my matches?” he told reporters.

Portugal head into the tournament among the leading contenders after arriving with a squad packed with experience, talent and players fresh from successful club campaigns across Europe.

Ronaldo believes the preparation work has laid strong foundations, although he acknowledged the real test begins once the tournament gets underway.

“It has been good but tiring because we’ve worked hard,” he said.

“We’ve had the upper hand in our matches, but what matters most is when the ball starts rolling on the 17th, in the first game, and then when the pressure really starts to mount. That’s when we’ll see the true champions.”

Already the all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer in men’s international football with 227 caps and 143 goals, Ronaldo enters another World Cup knowing opportunities to complete football’s greatest collection of honours are running out.

Portugal have never lifted the World Cup, with their best finish remaining third place in 1966, but optimism is growing around a squad many consider one of the strongest in the competition.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes arrives after a sensational domestic season, while Paris Saint-Germain quartet Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos helped deliver both the Ligue 1 title and Champions League success.

Despite the talent available, Ronaldo stopped short of making bold predictions.

“We’ll only know at the end,” he said when asked whether Portugal could win the tournament.

“We’re really looking forward to it. We know the World Cup is always a special tournament, just like the European Championship, so we’re heading there full of hope.”

Ronaldo believes the current generation is capable of creating special memories for Portuguese supporters but warned that success at a World Cup is never guaranteed.

“We have a very good generation, but there are factors we can’t control, such as the matches. Winning or not winning is the most important thing.

“I believe this is a generation that will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people.”

Portugal open their Group K campaign against Congo on June 17 before facing Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28.

For Ronaldo, the route to a deep tournament run begins with consistency and momentum from the opening whistle.

“The key is to start well, finish top of the group,” he said.

“Then it’s one game at a time, step by step, taking it calmly, building confidence and getting into our rhythm.

“It will depend on many factors, but I’m very confident that things will go well.”

Ronaldo has won almost everything the game has to offer during a career spanning more than two decades. As Portugal head into another World Cup, the veteran forward believes both he and his country still have one more chapter to write.