Former Manchester United F.C. midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba believes Cristiano Ronaldo still has the mentality and discipline to feature at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The former Cameroon international praised Ronaldo’s relentless drive for improvement, describing the Portugal captain as one of the most mentally committed athletes he has ever encountered.

Speaking via BetVictor, Djemba-Djemba stated that if Ronaldo is still actively playing by 2030, he deserves a place in the Portugal national football team squad.

“He is driven by a desire to enhance his skills and to compete. I have never encountered a mentality quite like his,” Djemba-Djemba said.

He added that it would represent the perfect ending to Ronaldo’s legendary career if he were to appear at the 2030 World Cup, especially with the possibility of sharing the stage with his son, Cristiano Jr.

The 2030 tournament is expected to hold special significance for Portugal, with the country among the hosts for the competition.

Ronaldo currently remains the highest goalscorer in the history of men’s international football, with 143 goals for Portugal.

Opinion: Ronaldo’s Biggest Opponent Now Is Time, Not Talent

At this stage of his career, nobody doubts Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality anymore. The real question is whether the human body can continue matching the demands of elite international football into 2030.

By then, Ronaldo would be 45 years old — an almost unimaginable age for a World Cup outfield player. Yet what makes the conversation possible at all is that Ronaldo has spent two decades redefining what longevity in football looks like.

Players often decline because motivation fades, discipline weakens, or injuries accumulate. Ronaldo, however, has built his career around extreme physical care, competitiveness, and consistency.

Djemba-Djemba’s comments also touch on something bigger than football statistics: legacy. The idea of Ronaldo potentially appearing at a World Cup hosted partly in Portugal — and possibly alongside his son — would create one of the most emotional stories the sport has ever seen.

Still, sentiment alone will not earn him a place. International football evolves quickly, and Portugal’s younger generation is already packed with talent. If Ronaldo is to make the 2030 squad, he would still need to prove he can contribute competitively, not symbolically.

Even so, history has taught football fans one thing about Cristiano Ronaldo: writing him off too early is usually a mistake.