Cristiano Ronaldo is getting closer to the end of his career, however, he is still breaking records and has several goals in mind at the age of 40. The Portuguese striker is preparing for another World Cup and a former Manchester United teammate has spoken about the pressure the striker is under.
While CR7 has nothing left to prove to the rest of the world, there are still those who believe he is in debt at World Cups and therefore, this 2026 version may be the last chance he has, so the Portuguese takes it very seriously and hopes to win it.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s former teammate puts pressure on him for the World Cup
Despite having already won three international titles with Portugal, Ronaldo is still hoping to add more and the main goal is to win the World Cup. It was his former United team-mate Kleberson who spoke about this pressure.
“Inside, he probably feels, ‘Wow, I have to win the World Cup, I can’t end my career like this’. He has to work hard. It’s not just him, it’s other players. Neymar is also probably thinking: ‘Messi has a World Cup, I don’t’. Haaland as well, he may not get a World Cup. It’s inside the players, inside these elite players,” the Brazilian explained in an interview with GOAL.
Inside, he probably feels: ‘Heavens, I have to win the World Cup, I can’t end my career like this’. He has to work hard. It’s not just him, it’s other players
The Brazilian also joked about the fact that he has already won a World Cup, while there are better players who have not yet achieved that milestone. “The World Cup is sometimes fair, sometimes unfair. I think those guys look at me and think ‘oh my God, I can’t believe Kleberson has a World Cup and I don’t!’ I don’t have five Ballon d’Ors, but I’ve won the World Cup!”
Kleberson remembers what it was like to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate
In the interview, the former Brazilian player also had praise for CR7, whom he met when he was very young.
“I met him when I was 17 or 18 years old, in 2003. We talked a lot because we wanted to speak in Portuguese. We could see the things he wanted for his life, and he hasn’t changed that. He is still the same. If there is something that Cristiano Ronaldo has, it is mental strength. His mentality is very powerful. In addition, he takes great care of himself: his body, the way he plays,” explained the world champion.
On the other hand, Kleberson also highlighted the fact that despite his age, Cristiano is still a fantastic player and has many more years of career ahead of him.
“When you see him now, he’s not like the Cristiano of years ago, but he still has an impact. (…) If he wants to play until he’s 50, he can do it! He’s in great shape,” commented the Brazilian.
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