Carles Puyol Backs Cristiano Ronaldo for FIFA World Cup 2026 Glory

Puyol's Confidence in Ronaldo and Portugal

Carles Puyol, the renowned former Barcelona footballer, has expressed strong support for Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal national team, declaring them as serious contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 2010 World Cup champion noted that the squad, under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, has shown remarkable resilience, particularly following their victory in the UEFA Nations League final.

When asked if Ronaldo and his teammates could secure Portugal's first World Cup title, Puyol responded affirmatively during an interview with TUDN.

He stated, "Yes, that’s how I see it. They have a very good national team. Their players are part of major clubs and have won numerous titles. They are highly competitive and have an excellent coach... Currently, I believe they are a very formidable team."

Ronaldo's Dedication and Portugal's Recent World Cup Journey

Puyol further praised Ronaldo's commitment to the sport, saying, "He takes extremely good care of himself. He lives for football. His statistics as a centre forward speak for themselves."

Reflecting on Portugal's performance in the FIFA World Cup 2022, the team had a rollercoaster experience, starting with a 3-2 victory over Ghana, where Ronaldo played a pivotal role alongside goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. They continued their momentum with a 2-0 win against Uruguay, thanks to two goals from Bruno Fernandes. However, a 2-1 loss to South Korea in their final group match jeopardized their chances.

Portugal bounced back in the Round of 16, decisively defeating Switzerland 6-1, highlighted by a hat-trick from Goncalo Ramos. Unfortunately, their quest for the trophy ended in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat to Morocco, marking the end of their World Cup journey.