Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has encouraged Ireland fans to boo him during Thursday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Dublin. The veteran forward said that if the crowd’s attention was on him, it might ease the pressure on his teammates.
Portugal will qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a win, as they currently lead Group F by five points with two matches remaining. Ronaldo, who is aiming to feature in his sixth World Cup next summer, expressed confidence but remained cautious ahead of the crucial match.
“The stadium will boo me, I’m used to it. I certainly hope they do — maybe it will take the pressure off other players,” Ronaldo said during a press conference on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old forward admitted that the clash against Ireland would be challenging, saying the hosts would likely defend deep and restrict Portugal’s attacking space.
Ronaldo, who has played for clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid, laughed when asked about the idea of scoring his 1000th career goal in the World Cup final. “You’ve been watching too many movies. That would be too perfect,” he joked.
The Portugal star emphasized teamwork over individual glory, saying that while he enjoys scoring goals, the team’s success remains his top priority. “A national team never depends on one player. I like making a difference, but it’s always about the group,” he added.
Currently playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has scored 953 career goals and remains the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer with 143.
While he recently hinted that the 2026 World Cup might be his last, Ronaldo avoided discussing retirement plans, saying his focus was on helping Portugal reach another major final.
“There’s no point in losing focus,” he said. “Maybe later I’ll speak more clearly about my future, but for now, qualifying comes first.”
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