Ronaldo won’t be just a ‘guest’ at 2022 World Cup & can still play ‘at highest level’, insists ex-Real Madrid team-mate Casillas

Ronaldo has disappointed at Man UtdPortugal star crucial to World Cup hopesEx-Real Madrid co-star has backed him

WHAT HAPPENED? Ronaldo has faced a lot of criticism this season for his performances and behaviour at Manchester United, with questions now being asked over his future after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan. He has started just four of the 10 Premier League matches in which he has featured this term and scored only one goal, but Casillas insists he cannot be written off heading into the World Cup.

WHAT THEY SAID: Asked for his top candidates to win the Golden Boot in Qatar, Casillas tipped Lionel Messi and Neymar as options, before turning his attention to his ex-Real Madrid co-star. “It seems that Cristiano has come to the World Cup as a guest and people don’t count on him because of all the trouble he has at Manchester United, but…” he said to Marca. “I do [have him as a contender]. When people talk about Cris they forget what he has done. Come on, he doesn’t forget, because he knows what he’s done. But I would always like him on my team. Cristiano still has the string to play at the highest level.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ronaldo, 37, could be playing at his last ever World Cup with Portugal this year. The attacker became the all-time top scorer in international football last year, having scored 117 times in 191 senior appearances, so the Portugal captain will be a pivotal part of his team’s hopes in Qatar.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

WHAT NEXT FOR PORTUGAL? Ronaldo and his international team-mates begin their World Cup campaign on Thursday when they take on Ghana.

Related Post
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Kris Srikkanth picks India’s playing 11 for ENG vs IND 2026 1st T20I

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has picked India’s playing XI for the first T20I against… Read More

July 1, 2026

Sanjay Manjrekar slams Gautam Gambhir after T20I series loss against Ireland

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar slammed head coach Gautam Gambhir after the T20I series loss… Read More

June 30, 2026

Sunil Gavaskar urges Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion for ENG vs IND 2026 1st T20I

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has urged India to include in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the… Read More

June 30, 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin slams potential CSK-DC trade for IPL 2027

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has slammed the potential trade between Chennai Super Kings and… Read More

June 29, 2026

Kumar Sangakkara recalls first run-in with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘He put Archer, Sandeep to the sword’

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara recalled the first time when he saw Vaibhav Sooryavanshi… Read More

June 29, 2026

ফিফা অনূর্ধ্ব-২০ বিশ্বকাপ ম্যাচ পূর্বাভাসের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পরিসংখ্যান

ফুটবল বেটিংয়ে, বিশেষ করে এই ফিফা বিশ্বকাপের সময় সাফল্য এবং লাভের মূল চাবিকাঠি হল সঠিক… Read More

June 25, 2026