FC Cartagena · Midfielder · #0 · Portugal · 35 yrs
Lionel Messi's Argentina captured the No. 1 spot in the final FIFA rankings' update ahead of the 2026 World Cup, leaving fans wondering exactly where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal lands heading into the tournament. The FIFA rankings have been updated for the last time before the 2026 World Cup gets underway, with Lionel Messi‘s Argentina holding firm at the top spot. The update also answers where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal stands heading into the tournament. The first round of pre-tournament friendlies last week delivered some notable upsets that reshuffled the rankings. Spain’s 1-1 draw with Iraq and France’s surprising 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast caused both La Roja and Les Bleus to slide from the positions they had been occupying as Europe’s dominant sides. Those results, combined with Argentina‘s win over Honduras, were enough to push Messi’s side back to the summit. A subsequent 3-0 victory over Iceland then cemented the Albiceleste’s hold on first place, and despite Spain and France bouncing back with 3-1 victories over Peru and Northern Ireland respectively, neither European powerhouse could claw their way back above Argentina. Portugal‘s position was largely unaffected by the pre-tournament activity. After the March international window, the Selecao had accumulated 1,763.83 points, and back-to-back 2-1 wins over Chile and Nigeria nudged that total up to 1,767.85 points, though Ronaldo‘s side remained in fifth place in the global standings. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the warmups. When will the next FIFA ranking update be released? As FIFA confirmed on its official website, the most recent update was published on June 11, ahead of the tournament’s opening game between Mexico and South Africa. The changes reflected results from the pre-World Cup international window, building on the movements that had already been recorded during the March break. The next official FIFA ranking update is scheduled for July 19, 38 days after the World Cup kicked off in North America. That date coincides with the tournament’s conclusion, with the championship match taking place at MetLife Stadium, and the outcome of the competition will instantly produce significant movement across the rankings. Final FIFA ranking top 10 before the 2026 World Cup Argentina — 1877.27 points.Spain — 1874.71 points.France — 1870.70 points.England — 1828.02 points.Portugal — 1767.85 points.Brazil — 1765.86 points.Morocco — 1755.10 points.Netherlands — 1753.57 points.Belgium — 1742.24 points.Germany — 1735.77 points.
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Happy GWC Day everyone! Sure, Bigger Cup may have become the pinnacle of football in the 21st century, but nothing stirs the child within like the beginning of a Geopolitics World Cup. The 23rd edition kicks off on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, a venue that is a World Cup Proustian rush all on its own. The two greatest players of all time, Pelé and Diego Maradona, both won the World Cup in that stadium. Kylian Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal and the other modern greats won’t be able to do that this year, as the final is being played in the USA USA USA. As you may have read, that country is currently run by a disinfectant-peddling despot, and its approach to inclusivity has been one of many controversies heading into the tournament. Continue reading...
The Portuguese superstar has been closely linked with Almeria's recent rise, and the Spanish club now finds itself on the verge of achieving something significant off the pitch after a dramatic night in the La Liga promotion playoffs. Cristiano Ronaldo may be preparing for the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, but developments away from international soccer are also giving him plenty of reason for optimism. The Portuguese superstar has been closely linked with Almeria’s recent rise, and the Spanish club now finds itself on the verge of achieving something significant off the pitch after a dramatic night in the La Liga promotion playoffs. The latest chapter of Almeria‘s season delivered excitement, tension, and a memorable late twist. After surviving an intense semifinal battle against Castellon, the club has moved one step closer to completing a remarkable journey that could transform its immediate future. Almeria booked its place in the Primera Division promotion playoff final after an unforgettable victory over Castellon. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the return match appeared destined for extra time before a stunning stoppage-time winner changed everything. The contest swung back and forth throughout the evening. Almeria initially took the lead through Adrian Embarba, only for Castellon to respond with goals from Calatrava and Sienra to put the visitor in control. ¡NO APTO PARA CARDÍACOS! 😳🔥 Marca Álex Muñoz para volver a poner la igualada en el #AlmeríaCastellón. #LALIGAHighlights | #DESENLACELALIGA | @U_D_Almeria pic.twitter.com/8wab9a2lS3— LALIGA HYPERMOTION (@LaLiga2) June 9, 2026 With the clock ticking down, the Rojiblancos looked to be heading for extra time. However, Alex Munoz restored parity in the 80th minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finale in front of a packed home crowd. Unlikely hero emerges The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute when Serbian midfielder Marko Dzodic produced the most important goal of his career. Arriving at the far post, he connected with a difficult header that flew into the net and sparked celebrations throughout the stadium. The goal was especially surprising given Dzodic’s limited scoring record. Before this season, he had managed only a single goal in his professional career, making his playoff winner even more remarkable. 🔜 Directo a la final.❤️ @U_D_Almeria 🤍#DesenlaceLALIGA | #LALIGAHYPERMOTION | #insideLALIGA | #AlmeríaCastellón pic.twitter.com/zF5uSKJhXJ— LALIGA HYPERMOTION (@LaLiga2) June 9, 2026 The success Ronaldo is waiting for and the final obstacle The dramatic victory means Almeria is now through to the La Liga promotion playoff final and sits just two matches away from securing promotion back to La Liga. That achievement represents the success that many around the club have been targeting throughout the season. After finishing third in La Liga 2, Almeria earned a playoff place and now stands within touching distance of returning to Spain’s top flight. For Ronaldo, who has been associated with the club’s ownership structure, promotion would represent another positive milestone in his growing influence off the pitch. The prospect of seeing Almeria compete among Spain’s elite clubs next season is now a genuine possibility rather than a distant ambition. 🌟 En busca de un SUEÑO.@MalagaCF 🆚 @UDLP_Oficial ⏰ 21:00 horas.✍️ ¿Un resultado para el #MálagaLasPalmas?#LALIGAHYPERMOTION | #DesenlaceLALIGA pic.twitter.com/nVZw4g4N0A— LALIGA HYPERMOTION (@LaLiga2) June 10, 2026 The Cowboys’ attention now shifts toward the playoff final, where promotion to La Liga will be decided across two legs. The club will face either Malaga or Las Palmas, who remain locked in their own semifinal battle. Malaga currently holds a narrow advantage after securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg against Las Palmas. That tie remains open, meaning Almeria must wait to discover its final opponent. The playoff format leaves no room for mistakes. A strong season can quickly be forgotten if a te
Portugal will square off against Nigeria in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s how fans in the United States can watch the matchup live. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Portugal vs Nigeria on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Portugal vs Nigeria WHAT International Friendly WHEN 3:45pm ET / 12:45pm PT • Wednesday, June 10, 2026 WHERE Fubo, FOX Soccer Plus and ViX STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Portugal will make its final preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a friendly against Nigeria, one of Africa’s most talented national teams. While the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on qualification, they still boast plenty of quality and will look to make a statement against a European heavyweight. Meanwhile, Portugal enter the tournament among the title favorites, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading a squad packed with talent across the field. Don’t miss this exciting matchup as both teams look to build momentum on the international stage. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Portugal vs Nigeria and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
Former Real Madrid an Juventus teammate Danilo praised the Portugal legend claiming that "people think Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraterrestrial, but he was a normal guy." Cristiano Ronaldo has left his mark on every single club he’s played for, influencing not only the fans but also his own teammates with his unwavering dedication. Reflecting on his time playing alongside him, Brazilian defender Danilo praised the Portugal legend and pushed back against the myth surrounding him, claiming that “people think Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraterrestrial, but he was a normal guy.“ While reflecting on legendary locker room figures like Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini during his time at Juventus in an interview with The Athletic, Danilo addressed about how Ronaldo was like as a teammate: “I’d played with him at Madrid (too). In Turin, he was more experienced but still scoring a lot of goals, still professional all the time. He pushed you, made you perform at your best in training, in games.“ First at Real Madrid and later at Juventus, Danilo had the privilege of sharing a locker room with Ronaldo across two different clubs, lifting major silverware together including the 2015-16 and 2016-17 UEFA Champions League titles. Yet, beyond his game-winning performances on the pitch, it was Ronaldo’s daily intensity in training that truly made his presence felt. The Brazilian full-back then offered some insight into the contrast between Ronaldo’s public persona and the man his teammates knew. “People think Cristiano is like an extraterrestrial, but he was a normal guy who would laugh and have a good time with his family. But of course, Cristiano lives for football, in almost everything that he does, to be better every day,” Danilo added. Danilo (R) of Juventus FC celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (L) after scoring the opening goal. Now 34 years old and playing out the twilight of his career with Flamengo, Danilo still managed to secure a spot on Brazil’s 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds Danilo in high regard, valuing the veteran right-back’s leadership qualities and tournament experience even if he is no longer at the absolute peak of his physical powers. Having shared a locker room with one of the greatest players ever and now playing under one of the most decorated managers in soccer history, Danilo drew a striking parallel between the two: “Ancelotti is like Cristiano. One of the most famous people in football, yet he lives the days with us like a normal person. He’s humble, and this is one of the most important abilities of champions. He won a lot, but he works as if he has won nothing.“ Ronaldo’s lasting impact on Danilo Upon arriving at Juventus in 2019, Danilo spent two more seasons alongside Ronaldo before the forward’s high-profile return to Manchester United in 2021. Even so, that window was more than enough for the Brazilian to forge a tight bond with the Portugal captain, leading to a heartfelt send-off when Ronaldo departed Italy. In a past Instagram post, the veteran defender dedicated a special message to his longtime teammate: “It was a pleasure to share two successful years with you, and also to learn from you every day how to be stronger in every situation, to be a fighter and to be extremely professional! Thanks for the friendship that we have made during this time. I wish you all the best for the next step. Keep making people happy!“ View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danilo (@daniluiz2)
Under Hansi Flick, Raphinha has become one of the best players in the world. In light of this, Al Nassr are reportedly targeting the Brazilian player as a star partner for Cristiano Ronaldo. To make this happen, they would be willing to offer €80 million to Barcelona in the summer of 2026. Raphinha has managed to become one of the best players in the world. Serving as the ideal complement to Lamine Yamal, the Brazilian star secured a starting role in the team. Following his outstanding performances, he has reportedly emerged as a key target for Al Nassr as a potential attacking partner for Cristiano Ronaldo. To make that happen, the Saudi side would be willing to submit an €80 million offer to Barcelona in the summer of 2026. According to Ferran Martínez, via Mundo Deportivo, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is backing Al Nassr in its pursuit of Raphinha. To make the deal happen, they are willing to pay €80 million to Barcelona, making it a very difficult offer to reject. In addition, the Brazilian star would be offered a salary four times higher than his current one, as he would become one of the team’s marquee players alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. With Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mané operating on the wings, Raphinha would arrive to form a partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo as an attacking midfielder. His presence on the pitch could significantly boost Al Nassr’s attacking firepower, although João Félix’s role could come into question. However, they also face competition, as the PIF is reportedly backing Al Hilal as well, with the club equally eager to bring him in. Far from being the first time they have pursued Raphinha, the Saudi Pro League already attempted to sign the Brazilian star in 2024, when his future at the club was far from certain. Now 29 years old, he could be facing the perfect opportunity to sign the most lucrative contract of his career. In addition, the Blaugrana could use the €80 million fee to further rebuild their attack, having already signed Anthony Gordon. Raphinha of FC Barcelona Report: Raphinha rejects lucrative offer as Barcelona future remains clear Under Hansi Flick, Raphinha has managed to showcase the best version of himself. Not only has he improved his goalscoring output, but also his creative contribution. Although his season was affected by injuries, he still managed to score 21 goals. Due to his excellent form, the Brazilian star has reportedly decided to reject any transfer in the summer of 2026, as the head coach continues to view him as an undisputed starter. According to Alex Pintanel, via Jijantes FC, Raphinha has decided not to accept any offer to leave Barcelona. While both parties could benefit from such a move, Hansi Flick considers him irreplaceable. In addition, the Brazilian star wants to make up for his previous season, as injuries significantly affected his performances. Therefore, Anthony Gordon emerges as a long-term solution, while the present still revolves around Raphinha.
After helping to shock Italy in the playoffs, the Bosnia and Herzegovina captain is out to upset co-hosts Canada in their opening match on Friday“Sometimes there is an end for all of us, maybe mine is coming soon,” says Edin Dzeko, though first there is the small matter of captaining Bosnia and Herzegovina at only their second World Cup, lessons learned. “When I was 17, 18, people were telling me: ‘Experience is something you get by playing for so many years,’” he says, screwing up his face a little, “when you think like a 17-year-old.” A smile unravels on Dzeko’s face. “But when you arrive at this age you know experience is fundamental.”When he was sold by the Sarajevo-based Zeljeznicar to the Czech team Teplice as a teenager, few envisaged him forging an elite career that has taken him to Europe’s best leagues and the biggest stages in the game. He is one of seven fortysomethings who could feature at the tournament this summer, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric and, just like those two, inevitably much of the intrigue in Dzeko is rooted in longevity. To cut to the chase, what are the secrets to his success? Continue reading...
A last World Cup – surely – for Cristiano Ronaldo, and Portugal are in great shape for a long run in the competitionThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed plans to launch a €150 million bid for a Galactico signing along the lines of Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka.Perez is looking to counter rival Enrique ...
