Cristiano Ronaldo Prepares for Potential Final Home Game with Portugal

As Portugal prepares for a friendly against Nigeria, head coach Roberto Martinez reveals that Cristiano Ronaldo is focused on the game rather than the possibility of it being his last home appearance. At 41, Ronaldo is set to make history with his sixth World Cup, aiming to secure the only major international title missing from his career. With an impressive record of 143 goals in 227 matches, Ronaldo continues to inspire his teammates. The article also highlights Portugal's upcoming World Cup matches and Ronaldo's recent success in the Saudi Pro League. Read on for more insights into Ronaldo's preparations and Portugal's squad.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 09:28 IST

Ronaldo's Focus on Upcoming Friendly

In Leiria, Portugal, head coach Roberto Martinez has indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo is not preoccupied with the thought that the upcoming friendly against Nigeria might be his last match on home soil for the national team.

At 41 years old, Ronaldo is gearing up for his sixth FIFA World Cup, aiming to secure the only major international title that has eluded him throughout his remarkable career.

The legendary Portuguese forward is among the top scorers in international football, boasting an impressive record of 143 goals in 227 matches, a figure that continues to rise.

Since his debut for Portugal in 2003, Ronaldo has consistently performed at an elite level, holding the record for the most international hat-tricks, with ten to his credit.

Martinez praised Ronaldo, stating, "Our captain exemplifies dedication in all his actions. He commits himself fully to the national team. The players are not contemplating the future, as injuries and unforeseen circumstances can arise."

He emphasized that the team's focus is on training, striving for excellence, and demonstrating pride in representing their country. "His primary goal is to improve for tomorrow," Martinez added.

As reported, Ronaldo is anticipated to start in Portugal's final warm-up match in Leiria before the World Cup.

The forward shared several images on Instagram from the training camp, showcasing his upbeat mood as he participated in drills with his teammates, intensifying their preparations for the tournament.

As the reigning Nations League champions, Portugal will kick off their Group K journey in Houston against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17. They will also face Uzbekistan on June 23 and conclude their group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27. The tournament is scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

Recently, Ronaldo achieved a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia, leading Al Nassr to their 11th Saudi Pro League title after scoring twice in a decisive 4-1 win over Damac, marking his first league title in Saudi Arabia since joining the club in January 2023.

The squad for the Portugal World Cup includes:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara).

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Ruben Dias (Manchester City); Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica).

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).