sports

Ronaldo's World Cup presence a curse for Portugal

Published May 30, 2026 · Updated May 30, 2026 · The Guardian

Cristiano Ronaldo's presence at the upcoming World Cup is more of a curse than a blessing for Portugal according to analysts.

Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, will feature in the upcoming World Cup alongside other veterans like Lionel Messi (turning 39), Luka Modric, Edin Dzeko, and several 40+ year old goalkeepers including Manuel Neuer and Guillermo Ochoa. chickenroad-game.rodeo

Despite being a major draw, Jonathan Wilson argues that the focus on Ronaldo's celebrity status may actually harm Portugal's chances at the tournament, as other teams like Argentina rely more on collective team performance rather than individual star power.

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