Portugal's Dalot Hopes Ronaldo Secures 2026 World Cup Victory Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has expressed his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to lead Portugal to a World Cup victory in 2026, calling it a fitting conclusion to the legendary forward’s storied career. Dalot emphasized that the footballing world, beyond Portugal, will unite to support Ronaldo’s pursuit of the prestigious trophy. The 31-year-old full-back, who was named in Roberto Martinez’s initial 27-man training squad for the tournament, described the endeavor as a global celebration of Ronaldo’s contributions to the sport. Dalot highlighted that while Ronaldo’s achievements already cement his status as one of football’s greatest players, a World Cup title would add a “beautiful” final chapter to his legacy. “For everything that Cristiano has done, not only for Portugal but also for football itself, it would be beautiful for him to end his football career with a World Cup on his CV,” Dalot said in an interview with CazéTV. He acknowledged that Ronaldo’s legacy is already secure, but a World Cup victory would elevate his career further. “If you ask me: does he need a World Cup to be considered one of the best of all time? No, but I think it would bring more beauty to his career and it could obviously be a beautiful trophy for him to have, without a doubt.” The 2026 World Cup marks a pivotal moment in football history, as both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi approach their final global campaigns. Unlike Messi, who already secured a World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022, Ronaldo remains determined to add the trophy to his collection. The 41-year-old forward holds the all-time records for international appearances and goals, having scored 143 times in 226 matches for Portugal.#cristiano_ronaldo #portugal #2026_world_cup #roberto_martinez #diogo_dalot
