Portugal 2022 World Cup Preview: Ronaldo’s Fifth and Likely Final Chance

Cristiano Ronaldo headlines a squad stacked with talent, but that’s rarely been the issue for Portugal. Putting it all together on the World Cup stage remains the challenge.

The Portuguese enter Qatar with an extremely talented team, but most will label this as Cristiano Ronaldo’s last run at the World Cup trophy. The 37-year-old has won everything there is to win in the sport except this competition, and the team has surrounded him with arguably its most talented group since its fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup. But since then, Portugal has mostly underachieved at the World Cup as it has failed to make it past the round of 16.

Portugal almost missed out on the trip to Qatar after losing to Serbia in the final group qualifying match in the 90th minute, which saw it finish second and drop into a nervy playoff. But Portugal withstood the pressure with wins over Turkey and North Macedonia to qualify for its eighth World Cup. It also underperformed at Euro 2020, where it managed one win against Hungary in the group of death and was bounced from the tournament by Belgium in the round of 16 after winning it all in 2016.

Even with Diogo Jota ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, Portugal’s attack is loaded with options that include Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix and Bernardo Silva. Meanwhile, its defense is filled with Manchester City and PSG stars like Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes and João Cancelo. But the Portuguese stars still need to show that they can put it all together for the national team. They come into Qatar having won only one of their last five games against World Cup-bound opponents..

Group H Schedule (all times Eastern)

- Ghana, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.

- Uruguay, Nov. 28, 2 p.m.

- South Korea, Dec. 2, 10 p.m.

Coach

Fernando Santos, hired in September 2014

Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua/Imago Images

Players to Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo, forward

Despite being relegated to a bench role with Manchester United this season, Ronaldo is expected to go all out in what will likely be the star’s last chance at the World Cup. His impressive log of 117 goals (international men’s record) from 191 international appearances (Portuguese record) should only grow in Qatar. In addition to his storied accomplishments, the 37-year-old could become the first men’s player to score at five World Cups (Marta has accomplished the feat for the Brazilian women’s team).

(UPDATE: Ronaldo and Man United parted ways on Tuesday, effectively immediately, following the star’s critical comments of the club in an interview with Piers Morgan)

Bruno Fernandes, midfielder

The 28-year-old is considered one of the best playmakers in the world and has a true knack for goal. In less than three years with Manchester United, Fernandes has contributed to more than 60 goals and has shown how accurate he can be on free kicks and from the penalty spot. He also led the Champions League last season in assists with seven. Playing as a No. 10 behind Ronaldo and inside Portugal’s talented wingers, Fernandes will be the key to unlocking opposing defenses and unleashing an attack that, on paper, looks like one of the tournament’s scariest.

Rúben Dias, center back

The defender is a staple in the Portugal defense and has emerged as one of the world’s best central defenders after an incredible 2020-21 season with Manchester City. That year, Dias was named the Premier League Player of the Year as well as the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Year. While Portugal has excellent fullbacks in João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes, Dias is a leader at the back who combines great tactical awareness and impressive passing skills with a commanding physical presence.

Pedro Fiuza/NurPhoto/Imago Images

Breakout candidate

Rafael Leão, forward

Without Liverpool’s Jota, the AC Milan star-in-the-making is expected to perform on the left wing in Fernando Santos’s attack. After recording 10 goals and 11 assists in AC Milan’s Serie A-winning campaign last season, Leão already has five goals and four assists this season. The 23-year-old’s nose for goal, dynamic play on the wing and his highlight-reel dribbling skills have lured Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City into the transfer picture.

World Cup History

- Eighth appearance

- Last appearance: 2018 (Round of 16)

- Best finish: Third place in 1966

Outlook and Expectations

The expectations will have to be high for Portugal with such a talented roster of stars at nearly every position, while Ronaldo will surely hold this team to the highest standard. But Portugal’s history in the World Cup group stage is far from impressive, and it usually sees its knockout chances come down to the final day. Portugal has won only three of its last 13 World Cup matches dating back to the 2006 semifinals.

While this group isn’t the most treacherous it has faced (see 2014 with the U.S., Ghana and eventual champion Germany), Portugal will have its work cut out against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. The obvious challenger for the group will be an always-strong Uruguayan side, which sent Portugal packing in the round of 16 four years ago in Russia. Still, Portugal will be realistically looking at making a deep run—and if it wins its group and Argentina does the same, then, yes, there would be the potential for a Ronaldo-Messi final.

World Cup Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Patrício (AS Roma), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

DEFENDERS: João Cancelo (Manchester City), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Pepe (Porto), Danilo Pereira (PSG), António Silva (Benfica),  

MIDFIELDERS: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), João Mário (Benfica), Otávio Monteiro (Porto), Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), João Palhinha (Fulham), , Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG)  

FORWARDS: João Félix (Atlético Madrid), Ricardo Horta (Braga), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Unattached), André Silva (RB Leipzig)