Nacional AM · Copa Do Brasil · Midfielder · #0 · Portugal · 38 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.
Guillermo Ochoa and Santiago Gimenez are not part of Mexico’s starting lineup against South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday at Estadio Azteca with Mexico taking on South Africa. The hosts will be without two of their biggest stars in the starting XI, as head coach Javier Aguirre has opted to leave Guillermo Ochoa and Santiago Gimenez on the bench. Following the opening ceremony, the official lineups for both teams were announced ahead of the tournament opener. Among Mexico’s starting eleven, the absence of Ochoa stood out, as he will not begin the World Cup as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Instead, Raul Rangel will get the nod, a decision that comes as little surprise considering he started Mexico’s last eight friendlies during the team’s preparation for the FIFA tournament. As a result, Ochoa and Carlos Acevedo will serve as backup goalkeepers. Ochoa still reaches a World Cup record Even though he is not part of Mexico’s starting lineup, Guillermo Ochoa will still achieve a FIFA World Cup milestone on Thursday while sitting on the bench—one that no other player has reached before in the tournament’s history. Javier Aguirre, Head Coach of Mexico. Ochoa is the first player ever to be part of six different FIFA World Cup editions. His first experience came at Germany 2006, and he has been included in every Mexico squad at the tournament ever since. In the coming days, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will match that mark, though with one key difference: the stars of Argentina and Portugal have played matches in all six of their World Cup appearances and, barring any unforeseen issues, will do so again this summer. Ochoa, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in both 2006 and 2010 and appears likely to remain without minutes in 2026 as well. Santiago Gimenez awaits his opportunity off the bench Just like Guillermo Ochoa, Santiago Gimenez will begin the 2026 World Cup among the substitutes and will have to wait for his opportunity to make an impact in the FIFA tournament. The 25-year-old striker appears to have fallen behind Raul Jimenez in Aguirre’s pecking order, with the veteran forward earning the starting role on Thursday. The 2025-26 season was a difficult one for Gimenez. He managed just 18 appearances for AC Milan due to physical setbacks, recording one goal and three assists across Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana. That lack of playing time also affected his standing at the international level, allowing Raul Jimenez to move ahead of him in the battle for the starting spot.
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)
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...
The veteran captain will travel to the tournament for a historic sixth appearance, while Martinez attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for the country’s first-ever world title. With high hopes for their 2026 World Cup run, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal manager Roberto Martinez are getting ready to play on the greatest stage in soccer once more. The veteran captain will travel to the tournament for a historic sixth appearance, while Martinez attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for the country’s first-ever world title. Portugal arrives in North America carrying momentum after winning the UEFA Nations League and producing a strong qualifying campaign. With stars spread across Europe and Saudi Arabia, the squad combines experience, technical quality, and depth in nearly every position. At 41 years old, Ronaldo remains the face of the national team. Time may have changed parts of his game, but his influence inside the squad remains impossible to ignore for both teammates and the coaching staff. What did Roberto Martinez say about Ronaldo’s importance? During the squad announcement, Martinez made it clear that Ronaldo’s value to Portugal extends beyond goals and headlines. The Spanish coach praised the Al-Nassr forward for the leadership qualities he continues to bring to the dressing room. “I hope he continues to play the same role he has had over the last three years that I’ve been with the national team,” the manager explained. The Portugal boss also stressed that Ronaldo remains fully committed despite his legendary status in soccer: “I’ve spoken a lot about Cristiano. When we talk about him, there are two players. The global soccer icon, about whom all soccer fans around the world have an opinion and recognize what he brings to the game, and then there is our captain,” Martinez said. The coach insisted that Ronaldo is treated like every other player in the squad when it comes to standards and competitiveness. “He has the same demands as every other player, the same competitiveness to be part of the national team,” he added. Ronaldo’s role finally becomes clear As the discussion around Ronaldo’s future continues to grow, Martinez revealed that the Portugal captain will continue serving as one of the team’s main leaders both on and off the pitch during the World Cup. The coach specifically pointed to the veteran forward’s influence inside the locker room and his importance during Portugal’s recent Nations League triumph. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal hugs head coach Roberto Martinez “For me, he is an exemplary captain. He was crucial in winning the Nations League, and now we want the same level of responsibility and leadership in the dressing room,” Martinez said. Thus, it is safe to say that the Portugal manager values the veteran’s experience highly heading into the tournament. While the forward may no longer rely on explosive pace or constant dribbling, his mentality and understanding of major tournaments remain central to Portugal’s ambitions. Ronaldo is now preparing for a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance after previously playing in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. No male player has ever reached six World Cups before.
