Vinicius Jr Tips Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal as World Cup Favourites

Vinícius Júnior has identified Portugal national football team as one of the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, largely because of the continued presence of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

The tournament, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, could represent Ronaldo’s final opportunity to win the only major trophy missing from his legendary career.

Vinicius praised the overall quality of the Portuguese squad, highlighting several stars he believes make the team one of the strongest in the competition.

The Real Madrid CF winger singled out Vitinha and João Neves as two of the best talents of the current generation, while also praising Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leão, and João Félix.

Speaking via CazeTV, Vinicius said Ronaldo’s presence alone makes Portugal a serious contender, stressing the importance of experience and leadership in major tournaments.

Portugal head into the World Cup hoping to improve on their 2022 campaign, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Morocco.

Opinion: Portugal May Finally Have the Balance Ronaldo Always Needed

For years, Cristiano Ronaldo carried the expectations of an entire football nation, often entering tournaments with talented squads that still lacked overall balance.

This current Portugal side feels different.

What makes Vinicius Jr’s comments interesting is that they are not based purely on Ronaldo’s reputation. Instead, they reflect how complete Portugal’s squad now appears across multiple positions.

Players like Vitinha and João Neves bring technical quality and control in midfield, while talents such as Rafael Leão and Nuno Mendes provide pace, creativity, and athleticism.

Most importantly, Ronaldo no longer needs to do everything himself. At previous World Cups, Portugal often depended too heavily on him for goals, leadership, and inspiration. Now, the squad appears deeper and more balanced.

Still, major tournaments are rarely won on talent alone. Portugal’s biggest challenge may be handling pressure and converting squad quality into consistency during knockout matches.

If this truly becomes Ronaldo’s final World Cup, the emotional narrative will naturally dominate headlines. But beyond the storylines, Portugal genuinely look like a team capable of going very far — perhaps further than any Ronaldo-led side before them.