Ronaldo: North Macedonia won’t beat Portugal
Ronaldo has played in four World Cups. It is the only competition he has played in that he is yet to win
Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldo said it was inconceivable that Portugal would fail to qualify for the World Cup as he talked up his team’s chances of beating North Macedonia in Tuesday’s play-off final in Porto.
North Macedonia inflicted a shock defeat upon Italy to qualify for the final, but typically for Ronaldo, he was confident that Portugal would not suffer the same fate against the Balkan minnows.
“Macedonia surprised everyone (by beating Italy), and they have caused surprises in many other games but I believe that they will not surprise us,” Ronaldo, the 37-year-old Portugal captain, said.
“Portugal will be better and we will go to the World Cup. I always consider myself a favourite, at home or abroad. We already know that if we win we will go to the World Cup, if we lose we are out. We have a responsibility to be positive and win the game.”
If Portugal are defeated, it will be the first time since 1998 that they have failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Ronaldo has played in four World Cups. It is the only competition he has played in that he is yet to win.
When asked if a World Cup would not be a World Cup without Ronaldo, the Manchester United striker said: “There is no World Cup without Portugal, here there are no individualities, it’s a group.”
Portugal, who finished second in their qualifying ground behind Serbia, qualified for the playoff final after beating Turkey 3-1 at the Estadio do Dragao last Thursday.
The morning after, thousands of fans queued outside the ticket office looking to buy tickets for the final, which is a near-50,000 sell-out.
“It will be an extremely difficult match,” Ronaldo, who has 185 caps, said.
“They deserve to be here, but if the fans make it like hell here in the Dragao we will get a great result.”
If Portugal qualify, it will be the 10th major tournament that Ronaldo has played in.
The former Real Madrid forward says he is yet to decide when he will retire from international future.
The topic of his potential retirement irritated Ronaldo at the pre-match press conference.
“I’m already beginning to see the same question many times,” Ronaldo said when the topic was raised by a Portuguese reporter.
“I’m the one who will decide my future, no one else. If I feel like playing more, I’ll play; if not, I don’t play. I’m in charge, period.”
Fernando Santos, the head coach, is without Ruben Dias, Renato Sanches, Nelson Semedo and Ruben Neves due to injury, but he is able to welcome back Pepe, the veteran centre-back, following his recovery from Covid-19 and Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo, who missed the Turkey match due to suspension.
“Pepe is a very important part of the team,” Ronaldo said of the 39-year-old defender.
“I’ve known him for almost 20 years. I have a very close relationship with him and he always has to be present (in the team). I like it when he is.
“And as one of the captains, everyone respects him.”
