Sagan Tosu · Paulista - A1 · Midfielder · #5 · Brazil · 25 yrs
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature in his sixth World Cup for Portugal, and has calmed concerns around his fitness ahead of their opener. The post ‘Have you not seen my matches?’ – Ronaldo brimming with confidence ahead of World Cup appeared first on SoccerNews.
Guillermo Ochoa reflected on joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players in soccer history to make six World Cup rosters: "It's something difficult to imagine." Guillermo Ochoa has officially made history at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first player ever to appear at six different editions of the tournament, a record he is set to share with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi once both make their first appearances. Standing alongside two of the greatest players the sport has ever produced in that exclusive category, the Mexican legend captured the magnitude of the moment, calling it “something difficult to imagine.“ Ochoa first appeared on a Mexican World Cup roster in 2006 and has been part of every squad since, featuring in the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026 editions. While Messi and Ronaldo share the same journey and are expected to join him in the record books once their respective opening games are played, it was Ochoa who was first to formally claim the milestone. Asked what it means to share such a distinction with two of the sport’s all-time greats, Ochoa was measured and gracious: “Well let’s see, they are extraordinary players, it’s not that I’m comparing myself to them, but well, at least in that particular World Cup category, it will be there for history.“ For Ochoa, the significance extends beyond personal pride. “It’s something difficult to imagine at the beginning, and I am very happy because the two of them are extraordinary. What they have done for football is wonderful, and I’m happy to share it with them and that a Mexican is up there,” he concluded. Sexto mundial para @yosoy8a ✅Y es un orgullo para él pertenecer a esta parte de la historia del fútbol ⚽️#DAZNMundial pic.twitter.com/OE6DZ3FNgo— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) June 11, 2026 Ochoa’s journey across six World Cups The one distinction between Ochoa and his record-sharing counterparts is that, while he was part of Mexico’s squads in 2006 and 2010, he did not see a single minute of action in either tournament. In Germany in 2006, where Mexico were eliminated by Argentina in the Round of 16, Ochoa served as the backup to Oswaldo Sanchez, who started all three group stage matches. A similar role awaited him in South Africa 2010, with Oscar Perez occupying the starting position as Mexico again fell to Argentina in the Round of 16. He made his mark on the game at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, becoming one of the tournament’s most iconic goalkeepers in that stretch. With his return to action in 2026 still awaited, Ochoa’s tally stands at 11 World Cup appearances, 12 goals conceded and four clean sheets. Ochoa back on the substitutes’ bench Despite widespread expectations that Ochoa would start Mexico’s opening match against South Africa, head coach Javier Aguirre ultimately chose Raul Rangel as his starting goalkeeper. While Ochoa now holds the record for six World Cup appearances as a squad member, being kept out of the action once again gives the milestone a bittersweet edge. For the first time since South Africa 2010, Ochoa finds himself back in the role of backup at a World Cup. But his spirit appears intact. “It’s part of life. We grow older and it’s natural in football and anywhere else. I take it in stride. These are different stages. In the other World Cups I was at a different moment, playing at a different moment, at a different age. Also, in my first World Cup I was very young. These are different stages,” he said in the mixed zone.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are already shaping the next chapter of their story, with a reported retirement timeline and long-term executive plan beginning to surface behind the scenes. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are already shaping the next chapter of their story, with a reported retirement timeline and long-term executive plan beginning to surface behind the scenes. While the Portuguese superstar is off to represent Portugal in what is likely to be his final World Cup tournament, fresh reports now suggest that his club could already be preparing a major role for him beyond his playing career. At 41, Ronaldo is still delivering on the pitch, but speculation around his future has intensified as Al-Nassr reportedly prepares a post-playing role for its captain within its soccer leadership structure. The timing of the speculation has added even more intrigue following the team’s Saudi Pro League title-winning campaign, where the veteran once again proved decisive in the biggest moments. Al-Nassr’s 2025-26 campaign ended with a dramatic Saudi Pro League title victory, sealed on the final day with a 4-1 win over Damac, where Ronaldo scored a decisive brace. The Portuguese forward finished the season with 28 league goals, once again proving decisive in key moments. The triumph marked a major milestone for the club, which also saw contributions from Sadio Mane and Joao Felix in a season defined by consistency and late pressure. Alongside the league success, Ronaldo’s individual brilliance was also recognized, including a spectacular overhead kick that earned him the Saudi Pro League Goal of the Season. The title success also marked the end of an important cycle for the club. Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus stepped down after guiding Al-Nassr to the championship, leaving the Saudi side preparing for another major transition heading into the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. At the same time, league organizers confirmed that the upcoming campaign will be one of the most demanding in Saudi soccer history. The 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season will run from August 13, 2026, until May 29, 2027, featuring 34 rounds and 306 matches across the competition. The hidden detail behind Ronaldo’s future Amid preparations for another exhausting campaign, reports from Saudi Arabia have now revealed the detail that has sparked major discussion about Ronaldo’s long-term future. According to former Al-Nassr legal department manager Saad Al-Subaie on X (formerly Twitter), Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to retire at the end of next season in the summer of 2027 when his current contract expires. However, the bigger revelation involves what may happen immediately afterward. As per his reports, if the consortium attempting to acquire Al-Nassr succeeds, Ronaldo could transition directly into a senior executive role at the club as Football Executive Director (Sporting Director). The move would allow the Portuguese icon to remain deeply involved in shaping the sporting future of the organization. Simão Coutinho is the new Sports director at AlNassr. 💛Welcome aboard, Simão. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BOZTL4lLWJ— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) July 27, 2025 The position would reportedly mirror the current responsibilities handled by Simao Coutinho, the club’s current sporting director and a close associate of Ronaldo. Coutinho officially assumed his role in July 2025 and has already become heavily involved in transfer planning and broader soccer operations. What would Ronaldo’s executive role actually mean? The proposed role would place Ronaldo at the center of Al-Nassr’s soccer structure. In modern soccer, executive directors or sporting directors oversee everything from recruitment and squad planning to coaching appointments and long-term development strategies. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr That means Ronaldo could potentially influence: Transfer decisions and player recruitmentYouth development structuresManagerial ap
David Trezeguet, world champions with France in 1998, backed up Portugal's chances in the 2026 World Cup, claiming that "Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this kind of trophy." The 2026 World Cup represents the absolute final opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to capture the most coveted trophy in sports, and he enters the tournament anchoring a loaded Portugal squad that stands as a legitimate heavyweight in the expanded 48-team field. His aspirations received a ringing endorsement from 1998 France World Cup champion David Trezeguet, who candidly stated that “Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this kind of trophy.” In an interview with Argentine network TyC Sports, Trezeguet was asked whether the 2026 World Cup would be dominated by modern, hyper-athletic forwards like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe: “The beautiful thing about this World Cup is that it is going to be the culmination of the generation of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar, alongside this new one that includes Haaland, Mbappe, and Yamal as well. I have always been a lover of what my own characteristics were—I love the penalty-box number 9, and I think Haaland will be the type of player who makes the difference.“ The legendary striker then pivoted to how Ronaldo could still play a similarly pivotal role for his country over the next month. “But others will be too. Cristiano Ronaldo, when we look at the magnitude of the guy, what he has achieved with different characteristics compared to Lionel Messi. They are the kind of guys who deserve to win these types of titles,” Trezeguet candidly stated. Compared to past iterations, this version of Portugal arrives at the tournament as a battle-tested powerhouse on the global stage. Bolstered by the championship DNA of winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League, combined with a core featuring several newly minted UEFA Champions League winners, the Seleção appear primed to finally take that elusive next step on the grandest stage. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the international friendly against Chile. Trezeguet went on to break down the sheer depth surrounding Ronaldo in the Portuguese camp. “Portugal is an interesting team with major individual talent, a midfield based on the PSG side that won the Champions League in recent years, meaning you are going to find a nation with a different kind of enthusiasm, with the awareness of knowing they are winners, and that can also be a deciding factor,” he concluded. Historically, Portugal’s deepest World Cup runs came in 1966 and during Ronaldo’s tournament debut in 2006, both resulting in semifinal appearances. Back in 1966, the Selecao secured a third-place finish, whereas in 2006 they dropped the consolation match to Germany, meaning Ronaldo will be highly motivated to raise the bar from the fourth-place finish he achieved exactly 20 years ago. Trezeguet’s own World Cup legacy Despite his deep Argentine roots, Trezeguet chose to represent France internationally, qualifying by virtue of being born in Rouen, the capital of Normandy. After beginning his professional career with Argentine club Platense, he moved to AS Monaco in 1995, and at just 20 years old, he successfully cracked the star-studded French roster that went on to capture Les Bleus‘ historic first World Cup title on home soil in 1998. During that legendary 1998 campaign, he scored against Saudi Arabia in the group stage and delivered two crucial assists, one in a 2-1 win over Denmark and another against Paraguay in the knockout rounds. While he watched the final victory over Brazil from the bench as manager Aime Jacquet favored Stéphane Guivarc’h as a lone target man, Trezeguet’s contributions throughout the tournament were vital to the championship run. Jean-Alain Boumsong, David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry of France look on after losing the World Cup Final in 2006. Following a disastrous group-stage exit in 2002, Trezeguet returned for his final World Cup rodeo in 2006, helping France reach the final before suffering a hear
The veteran forward enjoyed one of his most successful seasons in Saudi Arabia, helping Al-Nassr reach new heights while adding yet another remarkable achievement to an already overflowing collection of honors. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to add to an already impressive career, even as he is gearing up for what looks likely to be his final World Cup with Portugal. The veteran forward enjoyed one of his most successful seasons in Saudi Arabia, helping Al-Nassr reach new heights while adding yet another remarkable achievement to an already overflowing collection of honors. The latest recognition comes after a campaign filled with goals, decisive performances, and moments that reminded everyone why Ronaldo remains one of the sport’s most influential figures. While attention is increasingly turning toward the 2026 World Cup, one unforgettable moment from his club season has once again placed him firmly in the spotlight. The 2025-26 campaign proved to be one of Ronaldo’s most productive seasons since arriving in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese star played 30 league matches, scored 28 goals, and contributed two assists as Al-Nassr captured the Saudi Pro League title. His influence stretched far beyond the numbers. Time and again, he delivered in crucial moments, helping the club maintain consistency throughout a demanding title race that was only settled on the final day of the season. Across all competitions, Ronaldo finished with 30 goals and four assists in 37 appearances, underlining his ability to remain among soccer’s elite scorers despite entering his fifth decade of life. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. The title-clinching moment arrived with a convincing 4-1 victory over Damac. The 41-year-old forward scored twice in that decisive match, helping his side secure its first league crown in several years and giving supporters a season they will remember for a long time. The moment that captured the imagination Although Ronaldo produced numerous goals throughout the campaign, one stood above the rest. In November 2025, during a home match against Al-Khaleej, the Al-Nassr captain delivered a spectacular overhead kick that instantly became one of the most talked-about goals of the season. The strike came late in a 4-1 victory and left supporters inside the stadium in disbelief. Meeting a cross from Nawaf Boushal inside the penalty area, the Portuguese superstar launched himself into the air before connecting perfectly with the ball. The finish combined athleticism, timing, and technique, creating a moment that quickly spread across social media platforms worldwide. The Saudi Pro League has the best goal of the century, and they know it 😭 pic.twitter.com/NhdAgidX1L— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) June 9, 2026 The goal became an instant favorite among fans and generated millions of views online. Even in an era where spectacular goals appear regularly, this effort felt different because of the player producing it and the stage of his career at which it arrived. The accolade revealed That unforgettable strike has now received official recognition. Cristiano Ronaldo’s overhead kick against Al-Khaleej has been named the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League Goal of the Season. The award was decided through a public vote that featured every weekly goal winner from across the campaign. Ronaldo’s bicycle kick emerged as the clear winner, collecting 34 percent of all votes cast. 🇵🇹 @Cristiano's legendary bicycle kick vs Al Khaleej has been voted your @BSF_sa Goal of the Season for 2025-26 🌟#FansChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/Up5KPyCk4y— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) June 9, 2026 The recognition also means the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has secured back-to-back Goal of the Season awards, having previously won the honor for his stunning volley against Al Riyadh during the 2024-25 campaign. According to the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s overhead kick was described as one of the greatest goals of his career and on
Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who needs very little introduction. He is one of the stars of the game, a global celebrity, who continues to defy Father Time to make his sixth World Cup. In his career, he evolved from a tricky winger into the most dominant scorer in the game, and he’ll have one […]
Many names could make history as there are 9 World Cup records that could be broken in the 2026 edition. Some of the greatest players in the history of the sport have left a major mark on the World Cup since it began. While many of those records still stand, several could be broken at the 2026 tournament. As has often been the case over the years, there are two names to watch when it comes to records: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether for longevity or pure talent, both legends could add new marks in this edition. They are not the only players who could reach historic heights in the coming weeks. The main name after them chasing history is Kylian Mbappé, while Harry Kane and even Guillermo Ochoa could also leave their mark on the tournament. Most all-time World Cup goals This may be the most interesting record to watch. It is currently held by Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals for Germany in his career. The main challengers are Messi with 13 and Mbappé with 12. Klose holds the record with 16 goals (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Most World Cup match appearances This record should be broken if nothing unusual happens, because it is held by Messi with 26 appearances. That means every time Argentina take the field with him in the lineup, the record grows. Most individual World Cup match wins While soccer is not usually viewed as an individual sport, it can still be revealing to see which players have won the most matches. Before the competition begins, the record is held by Klose with 17 wins for Germany, but Messi is right behind him with 16. Most World Cup tournaments played Player longevity has increased so much in recent years, thanks in part to advances in sports science and technology, that this record has two players ready to make their sixth World Cup in Messi and Ronaldo. Ochoa was called up for a sixth tournament, but he did not play in 2006 or 2010. This record also includes Lothar Matthäus, Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, and Andrés Guardado. Oldest goalscorer in a knockout match This record could be challenged by several players, because Pepe was 39 years and 283 days old when he scored for Portugal against Switzerland in the round of 16 in Qatar. However, this edition features several big names who could break it, including Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Edin Džeko. With the addition of an extra knockout round after the group stage, this record looks more reachable. Most players over 40 in a single tournament In the past, it was not common to see players over 40 at the biggest stage. However, that has become more normal. The record was just one in different editions, and it should be shattered this time. The players over 40 are Ronaldo, Modrić, Džeko, Manuel Neuer, Craig Gordon, Ochoa, Vozinha, and Fernando Muslera. Oldest outfield player in a World Cup final Goalkeepers were historically the position that allowed players to stay active until later ages. When focusing only on outfield players, Nílton Santos stands out. The legendary left back was in Brazil’s lineup in 1962 at 37 years and 32 days. Messi and Ronaldo are the obvious names that could break this record, while Otamendi would need a Messi absence in a hypothetical final. Captaining back-to-back World Cup titles This record could only be broken by Messi, as Argentina are the defending champions. There were two teams that repeated as champions in the past, but their captains did not remain the same for different reasons. Italy’s 1934 title was captained by Giampiero Combi, who retired afterward and passed the armband to Giuseppe Meazza. Brazil’s captain in 1958 was Hilderaldo Bellini as the central defender. For the country, it is traditional that only a player in the starting lineup can be captain, so even though he was in the squad in 1962, the captain that year was Mauro Ramos. Winning the Golden Boot twice No player in World Cup history has ever won the Golden Boot twice, which could happen in this edition. The list includes three players who
