Portugal's Fernandes targeting World Cup glory to help crown Ronaldo's career

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) gives the captain's armband to Bruno Fernandes
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) gives the captain's armband to Bruno FernandesREUTERS / Annegret Hilse

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed hope that he ⁠and his teammates can help crown Cristiano Ronaldo's international career by ‌winning the 2026 World Cup.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo is ‌set to appear in a ‌record sixth World Cup in June, a ‌tournament expected to be the final ‌major chapter of the forward's career.

"Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano (Ronaldo) ‌winning it would be something ⁠amazing," Fernandes ‌told Wayne Rooney in a BBC report ​published on Friday.

"I really hope we can make it happen, not ​just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the ⁠world," the Portuguese ​midfielder and Manchester United captain said.

Portugal's recent form
Portugal's recent formFlashscore

Ronaldo, considered one of the greatest players ever to have not won a World ‌Cup, is the record scorer in international football with 143 goals.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning team and has lifted the Nations League twice.

Portugal's opening Group K game is on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo, ‌followed by Uzbekistan on June 23, ​with both games in Houston. They ‌play Colombia on June 27 in Miami in their final group game.

The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, ⁠the United States ⁠and Mexico.

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