Cristiano Ronaldo’s Former Coach Backs ‘Remarkable’ Forward to Win World Cup in 2026

Rene Meulensteen says CR7 is still ‘chasing milestones and wanting to break records’ as he sets his sights on one final crowning moment

Cristiano Ronaldo is not done. Not even close.

At 40 years of age, most players would be long retired, maybe trying their hand at punditry, or sitting in the director’s box with a scarf and a smirk. But Cristiano Ronaldo? He’s still lacing up his boots, still scoring for fun, still rewriting history.

Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, even his former coach believes something historic could be brewing. Rene Meulensteen, once Sir Alex Ferguson’s trusted lieutenant at Manchester United, says he wouldn’t bet against Cristiano Ronaldo finally lifting the one trophy that has eluded him: the World Cup.

And why not?

Ronaldo’s career has defied logic for over two decades. Why stop now?

The Eternal Pursuit of Greatness

Let’s be honest—Ronaldo doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. With five Ballon d’Ors, multiple league titles across England, Spain and Italy, Champions League triumphs, a European Championship, a Nations League title, and the most international goals of all time (138 and counting), he’s long secured his legacy.

But that’s not how Cristiano Ronaldo operates.

“Cristiano is still chasing something,” says Meulensteen. “He’s not just playing to tick boxes. He still has hunger. That’s why he’s still playing at 40.”

It’s that relentless drive—what sets him apart from so many of his peers—that has kept him going well into his 40th year, a time when even the most elite players have usually faded from the scene.

Now with a new two-year contract at Al-Nassr, fresh off back-to-back Golden Boots in Saudi Arabia, and as the undisputed leader of Portugal’s national team, Cristiano Ronaldo has one more mountain left to climb.

Life in Saudi Arabia: Comfort, Challenge, and Clarity

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2025

It’s easy to dismiss the Saudi Pro League as a step down. And sure, in terms of overall quality and global attention, it doesn’t quite compare to Europe’s top five leagues. But Meulensteen believes Cristiano Ronaldo made a smart decision—not just for his career, but for his lifestyle.

“He knows what Saudi brings,” Meulensteen told Grosvenor Sport. “It suits his family life. He’s comfortable. He’s settled. But he’s also still pushing himself.”

Make no mistake, the Saudi league has evolved rapidly. The influx of stars from Europe has raised the standard considerably, and Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t just there for the retirement tour. He’s winning games, scoring spectacular goals, and leading from the front. The fitness is still there. The goals are still flowing. And most importantly, the desire burns brighter than ever.

Portugal’s Golden Generation—and One Last Shot at Glory

If Cristiano Ronaldo was hoping to go out with a bang, Portugal’s current squad might just give him the platform. This isn’t a one-man team. Not anymore.

The new generation—João Félix, Rafael Leão, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Costa—is stacked with both experience and flair. And let’s not forget the mastermind on the touchline, Roberto Martinez, who has brought a new energy to the Seleção das Quinas.

“Portugal have so much quality,” Meulensteen added. “It all depends on the role Cristiano Ronaldo can play in that team.”

And that’s the key.

Ronaldo is no longer the explosive winger who could win a match by himself with two stepovers and a thunderbolt. But he doesn’t need to be. If he can accept a slightly evolved role—perhaps more of a poacher, a leader, a mentor who still scores big goals—he could be the final piece of a very dangerous puzzle.

Meulensteen agrees: “You can’t expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be as he was at 28. But his experience, presence, and mentality—that’s invaluable at a World Cup.”

The Knockout Variable

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2025

Of course, winning a World Cup isn’t just about having a great squad or a legendary captain. It’s about momentum. It’s about luck. It’s about who you meet in the knockout stages.

“They’re definitely a team that can progress,” said Meulensteen. “Then it depends on how your best players perform when it matters most. That’s when you need to step up.”

And if there’s one thing Cristiano Ronaldo has done better than almost anyone in football history—it’s stepping up. Whether it’s a last-minute free kick against Spain in 2018, a towering header in Euro 2016, or even his penalty heroics for Al-Nassr—he lives for the big moment.

Can he do it one more time on the biggest stage of all?

A Sixth World Cup Appearance—and a Legacy Beyond Numbers

Ronaldo is set to become the first player ever to feature in six different World Cups—a record that underscores his longevity as much as his greatness. He’s currently on 221 international caps, and he has publicly stated his goal of reaching 1,000 career goals before hanging up his boots.

It’s not just about legacy anymore. It’s about immortality.

And whether he wins the 2026 World Cup or not, that status is already secure.

But still—what a story it would be.

What Comes Next?

With qualification secured and Portugal looking sharp under Martinez, Cristiano Ronaldo’s focus for the next year will be divided between club success at Al-Nassr and staying in peak condition for the summer of 2026.

There’s no Copa America-style tournament or European Championship to worry about. Just a long, measured build-up to a World Cup on American soil, in a tournament that promises to be unlike any other—hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with an expanded 48-team format.

Ronaldo will be 41 when the tournament kicks off, but if there’s one player who can make that number irrelevant, it’s him.

Final Thoughts: Never Count Out CR7

In a world constantly chasing the “next big thing,” it’s easy to overlook a veteran. To assume the best days are behind them. To dismiss a 40-year-old striker in Saudi Arabia as yesterday’s news.

But Cristiano Ronaldo has never played by those rules.

He doesn’t do timelines. He doesn’t do limits. And he certainly doesn’t do quiet exits.

His former coach believes he could win the World Cup. His nation believes. And somewhere deep down, Cristiano Ronaldo still believes too.

He’s chasing milestones. He’s breaking records. And maybe—just maybe—he’s saving his best trick for last.