Cristiano Ronaldo has to win the World Cup to complete his greatness. The 'Lone Star State' of Texas feels like a fitting place for Ronaldo to begin what is expected to be the final quest to complete his remarkable career.
No footballer on the planet craves having that iconic gold badge on his international shirt more than Ronaldo. Lionel Messi has one, thanks to his stunning World Cup triumph for Argentina in Qatar 2022. The fact Messi left Doha with the greatest prize of all, while Ronaldo headed home in tears once again, has added extra fuel to the latter's continued obsession with conquering the world.
One which has lasted two decades and counting. During this time, Ronaldo has achieved incredible footballing feats, helping to take the game to unprecedented levels. He has broken more records than the Greeks have smashed plates, with a staggering 143 goals in 228 international appearances. He has a European Championship triumph in 2016 and 29 major trophies on behalf of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, including five Champions League titles. Throw in five Ballon d'Or awards and countless other individual honours, and Ronaldo should be able to look back on his footballing life with the kind of pride only reserved for the chosen few.
Ronaldo has all of his accolades on display inside the homes he owns around the world. But Houston, there is a problem. Something is still missing. Ronaldo knows that despite his genuine greatness, he also remains stuck in a club no one like him ever wants to be in. It is the one made up of the greatest footballers never to have won a World Cup. Members include Ferenc Puskas, Eusebio, Alfredo di Stefano, Michel Platini, Paolo Maldini, Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten and George Best, who never got to play in a World Cup, let alone win one.
Most players would give their right boot to be rubbing shoulders with such genuine legends of the sport. Not Ronaldo, however, who would arguably trade all of his silverware for that one piece of gold which remains the ultimate prize from the ultimate game. Ronaldo wants to join the club which includes Pele, Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Franz Beckenbauer, the other Ronaldo and, of course, Messi. For the man who appears to have it all, he still does not.
The fact Ronaldo will be competing in a record-equalling sixth World Cup at the age of 41 speaks volumes for his relentless fixation with reaching his holy grail. It also proves how Ronaldo remains one of the greatest inspirations and examples to future footballers around the globe when it comes to being the ultimate professional. But even Ronaldo knows nothing lasts forever. This could well be his last chance to complete one of the game's greatest collections of honours.
Portugal launch their World Cup campaign in the Houston Stadium against DR Congo, with arguably one of the most talented squads in the tournament. Yet once again the next few weeks are likely to revolve around one man. Ronaldo said: 'Physically? I'm fine. Have you not seen my warm-up matches? We've worked hard. We've had the upper hand in our matches, but what matters most is when the ball starts rolling on June 17, in the first game. And then when the pressure really starts to mount, that's when we'll see the true champions.' Ronaldo is refusing to make bold predictions, tempt fate or look too far ahead. But it is safe to assume he has one vision of what he would like to see, come the World Cup final in New York on July 19.
