Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday that he felt “very positive” as he and the Portuguese team left Lisbon for their World Cup base in Palm Beach, Florida.
“We’re approaching this competition with a lot of hope,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shared.
“The preparation has been very good, tiring, because we have worked hard,” the veteran captain from Portugal said, adding that he felt “physically good.”
“I am very positive, I believe things will go well and that we will put in a good performance.
“It’s a very good generation… which will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people,” the forward stated about his teammates.
First Matches are Key
“The most important thing is to start well, with the first match, then follow up with the second and third… finish top of the group and from there, take it one match at a time,” he explained.
Portugal will kick off their World Cup journey on June 17 in Houston against the Democratic Republic of Congo. They will then face Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.
At 41, Ronaldo is heading to his sixth World Cup, but some worry that his presence might hold back Roberto Martinez’s strong squad.
Recently, Portugal played two friendly matches against Chile and Nigeria, winning both 2-1, but Ronaldo did not score in either game.
Portugal finished third in the 1966 World Cup and made it to the quarter-finals four years ago in Qatar.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇