It could be Portugal’s year and Chelsea ‘bomb squad’ member could be the key

Jun 17, 2026 - 13:15

Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to write the fairytale ending to his script by winning the World Cup – but he may have a surprise star to thank.

The Jules Rimet trophy is the only major honour missing from the 41-year-old’s glittering silverware cabinet, with the 2026 tournament his final opportunity to claim the elusive prize.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring a goal during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Hungary and Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking part in his sixth World Cup this summer

Portugal have never won the World Cup and have reached the semi-finals just once since 1966.

However, ‘Seleção das Quinas’ come into this summer’s tournament among the favourites following recent success.

Roberto Martinez’s men beat Euro 2024 champions Spain, on penalties, to the Nations League title 12 months ago.

A number of their stars now come into the World Cup off the back of successful club seasons, with Ronaldo winning the Saudi Pro League.

Vitinha and Joao Neves helped Paris Saint-Germain defend their Champions League title, with Bruno Fernandes also crowned the Premier League player of the season.

‘It could be the year for Portugal’

talkSPORT’s European football expert Andy Brassell said: “It could be the year for Portugal. I think a lot depends on fitness.

“A lot depends on Bruno Fernandes, because basically he’s been flogged this season as he’s flogged every season.

“So I think the sort of form that he turns up in is important, though.

Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Portugal — Portugal’s hopes will likely rest more on Bruno Fernandes than on Cristiano Ronaldo

“I think the fact that he’s been playing a more advanced role for Manchester United, and he’s going to be playing a more advanced role for Portugal than he originally played when he arrived at Old Trafford, and then he played for Sporting before.

“That maybe takes a little bit of the physical pressure off him and allows him to do what he does best in playing the last pass or maybe scoring a goal as well.

“But I do think the holding midfield players are going to be really, really important to them, especially Vitinha and maybe even Samu Costa of Mallorca, who will probably play next to him, having edged Palhinha out of the squad.”

One to Watch – Renato Veiga

Ronaldo remains indebted to Eder, who had been bombed out of Swansea City months before he scored Portugal’s winner at Euro 2016.

A decade on, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the last man standing from the side who won the country’s first major honour.

Renato Veiga of Portugal — Renato Veiga has rebuilt his reputation at Villarreal to force his way into Portugal’s World Cup plans

Yet he could find history repeating itself with Renato Veiga backed to be a surprise star after his well-documented struggles in England.

The 22-year-old was famously part of Chelsea’s so-called bomb squad last summer prior to completing a £26m move to Villarreal.

Picking him as his one to watch for Portugal, Brassell explained: “I’ve picked out Renato Veiga for Portugal because really the issue with them or the looming issue with them, has been their defence.

“You’ve had a lot out of Jose Fonte going back a little while and then Pepe. But the fact is, they’ve needed to move on.

Renato Veiga Chelsea stats — Veiga made 18 appearances for Chelsea during the first half of the 2024/25 season

“Now, Renato Veiga has had a really strange career.

“He’s only 22 years old, but he’s played in Switzerland, Germany, England and now Spain, as well as Italy. He was at Juventus for a little bit.

“Chelsea never seemed to be sold on using him for him, but using him as collateral. But he’s shown at Villarreal this season who’ve finished an amazing third place in the league, that he’s relentlessly consistent.

“When you look at someone of his size and his power, he doesn’t dive into tackles as well. He’s very, very poised on the ball. So he looks like an old-fashioned centre-back, but he’s actually a modern centre-back.

“I think when you’re talking about possession and when you’re talking about Portugal being a team that want to circulate the ball a lot, he could be absolutely vital to them at both ends of the field.”